"I loved him, and he broke my heart. Actually he didn't so much break it as tear it into tiny little pieces and stamp on the bits." Remus smiled sadly, he knew that feeling too well. Hermione took a deep breath and began her tale properly.

"After the war we, that is Harry and I, moved into the Burrow. It was nice to be around people we knew and cared about, and neither of us had any family to go to. Everyone was mourning, and recovering and it was difficult, but okay. Then things started to get better, Ginny and Harry patched things up and Ron and I ended before we started, really. Even though it was entirely mutual, and completely the right choice, Molly wasn't very impressed, I think she liked the idea of me being really part of the family, instead of an honorary member. Things got a bit awkward and, well you know what the Burrow's like. It's so busy and noisy, and I'm not. I was trying to study for my NEWTs so I didn't have to go back to Hogwarts and everything got a bit much. George and I were talking a lot, and one night we got drunk talking about Fred and everyone, and I fell asleep on his bed. Molly caught me sneaking out of his room early the next morning and that was the final straw. She yelled, I yelled, I packed my bags and moved back to my parents' house. It had been empty for a year, and was musty and full of memories but it was quiet and peaceful.

"I'd been back about a fortnight when I realised someone was following me home from the shops. I'd been trying to look as Muggle-like as possible so I was walking. Suddenly all of Harry and Ron's warnings about living on my own when there were still Death Eaters on the loose came rushing back to me. I heard whoever it was get closer and I panicked. I started to run and dashed round the corner, straight into someone, who I knocked flying."

"Oh my goodness, are you okay?" Hermione asked. She looked at the person she had knocked off their feet to fine slightly dazed blue eyes looking back at her. Suddenly the young man grinned and climbed to his feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Might be a bit bruised tomorrow but I'll probably pull through." He laughed as he replied. "Are you okay? You seemed a bit panicked as you ran into me. Or is it a new exercise craze? Running with weights." He glanced at the shopping bags in Hermione's hands as he spoke. She had dropped one on impact and he started to help pick things up.

Hermione glanced round but anyone who had been behind her wasn't there now. "I over-reacted to something I guess. I really am sorry." She took the bag he offered, her shopping all returned to it.

The man brushed his light brown hair out of his eyes "It's fine, really" He frowned slightly as he looked at her. "You're Hermione right?" She froze, her recent panic coming back at this stranger knowing who she was. Something of her alarm must've shown on her face, as he hastened to reassure her. "I'm Kyle, Kyle Saunders. I was a year ahead of you in primary school."

She took a long look at him. She did remember a Kyle from primary school, they were often asked to do things, read in assembly, narrate the school play, being two of the cleverest kids. The others had called them swots and teacher's pets. However that boy had been quite short and a bit chubby, and even more socially awkward than Hermione. This young man was relaxed and confident, his tall figure slender but toned. It was hard to reconcile that self-conscious little boy with the good looking man in front of her.

"Wow. You've changed. I didn't recognise you at all." Hermione said.

Kyle smiled again. "Yeah, I guess I have. You haven't much. Couldn't be anyone else under all that hair," he teased. "Suits you now though." Hermione felt her cheeks go pink at the compliment. "You want a hand with these bags?" Kyle asked. Hermione smiled and nodded, feeling instantly at ease with him.

They headed back to Hermione's house, talking about all sorts of things. When they reached the house Kyle looked puzzled.

"You still live here?" He asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Mum said your parents had left, I seem to remember."

"Oh, they did. They had the chance to spend some time in Australia, but weren't sure if they would stay so kept the house. I was away at school and needed somewhere to stay in the holidays so I came here for a bit." As she spoke Hermione was reminded that she needed to find her parents and explain everything. She shrugged to herself, deciding it could wait until after her exams, when things were a bit calmer. They headed inside, Hermione glad she had locked the house the Muggle way so she didn't need to try and surreptitiously undo wards. They carried the shopping into the kitchen.

"Erm, so, thanks for helping me. And I'm sorry again for knocking you over."

Kyle grinned. "No problem. And I told you, it's fine. I'm used to girls throwing themselves at me," he said with a smirk. Hermione rolled her eyes, the look on his face saying he was just messing around. "So, I'm kinda bored out of my brain being at home and since you're all alone, would you fancy getting together sometime?" Kyle asked. "We could go the cinema, or for a drink or whatever." Hermione stared, was he asking her out? Or just trying to pass the time?

"Yeah, sure." She said, hoping that was an appropriate response whether it was a date-invitation or a bored-invitation.

Kyle beamed. "Great! How about tomorrow? There's a new zombie thriller out at the cinema." Hermione grimaced, she'd had enough of blood and gore in real life without watching horror films as entertainment. "Or there's an incredibly soppy looking rom-com if that's more your thing," this time it was Kyle grimacing. Hermione laughed.

"Maybe something in the middle? How about that spoof comedy film?" Kyle nodded in agreement. "Cool. So I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you up at eight? Bound to be a showing around then." With that Kyle left. Hermione had forgotten all about her earlier fright on the way home as she thought of the handsome young man and their date, she was pretty sure it was a date, the next day. She knew she'd done the right thing moving back here.

When the doorbell went the next afternoon Hermione was surprised to see Kyle on the other side of the door.

"You're about six hours early." Hermione said with a smile.

"Yeah, I felt bad. See there's something I need to tell you before we go out tonight." Hermione groaned to herself. She had a feeling he was about to tell her he had a girlfriend and she'd completely misread the situation the day before.

"Go on." She said.

"The thing is, I didn't just recognise you yesterday because we were at school together eight years ago. I recognised your picture in the paper."

"My picture hasn't been in the paper." Hermione was genuinely confused, knowing there was no way this muggle boy could have seen the dozens of pictures of the 'Golden Trio' in the Prophet.

"Yeah, it has." He reached into his pocket and handed her a newspaper cutting, complete with moving photo showing a frazzled looking Hermione pushing through crowds with George. So much for him being a muggle.

"You're a wizard." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah."

"You didn't go to Hogwarts though did you?"

"Beauxbatons. My mum's French, and since she's the magic one I went there instead. I know I should've said yesterday but I got the impression you were really spooked when we met, and with the war and everything I thought some guy you barely know telling you he's a wizard and knows who you are and your role in the war might not be exactly confidence inspiring."

Hermione looked at him for a long moment, then pulled her wand from her sleeve and silently cast a handful of spells. None of them picked up any potions or charms, which either meant he was who he said, and was telling the truth, or he was extremely powerful and could mask the spells from her attempts to find them. If it was the latter then she was in trouble no matter what she did, so she chose to believe him.

She sighed, then nodded. "You're probably right."

The relief that passed across his face was obvious. "So we're still good for tonight?" Hermione nodded again. Kyle smiled. "Great, I'll see you later then." He brushed his lips across her cheek before leaving. Hermione still wasn't sure she should trust him, but she couldn't let paranoia rule her life. She'd be mad by the end of the week. Better mad than dead a voice which sounded oddly like Mad-eye Moody said in her head. With a pang of grief for the old Auror she shook her head. She'd be cautious, but she couldn't hide forever. One date with Kyle couldn't hurt.

A/N A bit of background on Kyle then, sorry for still leaving you hanging on what he did to hurt her! Please Review. Also, I'm looking for a beta, more details on my profile, PM me if interested.