The days of early February in 2001 were long and grueling for Hermione. The excitement of her new life had worn off and it was finally dawning on her that her and Ron were not only over, but everything she had known for the last few years would never return.
Each day, Hermione's alarm went off at six thirty. Hermione would get up, shower, eat a boiled egg, Finnish getting ready for the day, and be seated at her desk by eight AM. She worked till noon, took a short break to eat and read (still at her desk) and then it was back to work. Around five, she would head home and either continue to work or write until seven or eight, when she would eat something random she found in the fridge, and then went to bed.
The brunette would never say her life was wasted or hard, it just felt unfulfilling. The days passed without much change, there was nothing for the witch to look forward to, and rather than finding herself - as she had intended when she had left Ron many months before - she was just.. existing.
it was a bland way to exist, she knew. But what could she change? Each Sunday morning she would floc-call her parents, and every few Friday's she would have a drink with Harry and Ginny or some other old friend, but that was about it. She knew little more than the names of her work colleagues, and definitely knew nothing of her ex-husband.
One Thursday evening, Hermione was sitting on her couch, staring blankly at her bookshelf trying to decide whether to read something or just go to bed (despite it only being eight-fifteen) when an unfamiliar tawny owl knocked on her window. She opened it up, gave the owl a treat, and untied the scroll from the worn out owl's leg. In writing she was sure she'd seen before, her name was beautifully scrawled across the scroll.
sitting back down, she unrolled the parchment and began to read.
Dear Hermione Granger,
I know we haven't spoken in many years, but I thought I should reach out since my wife and I will be in London the last weekend of February and was wondering if we could meet up? Feel free to bring along your partner, if you have one.
In case you don't remember my handwriting, this is Victor Krum.
I'm sorry we lost touch… Once the war officially started in the UK it became a bit scary to try and correspond, though I do truly miss you. You made me laugh so much, and I'm not sure I could have tolerated the Triwizard Tournament without you.
assuming you are willing to meet, name the place. Saturday afternoon around three works best for us, but we can do earlier if you require.
By the time you get this letter, I'll most likely be near Inverness, Scotland (I'm doing a tour for quidditch coaches and ex-professionals, So it shouldn't take long for an owl to get back to me.
Agnes ( my wife, she's from Greece) and I completely understand if you do not want to meet. After all, the stories we've heard about your involvement sound terrifying and we are sure you are traumatized and cautious with who you meet. So, to prove I am me, Agnes suggested I write something only you would know, which is that you were my first kiss.
Let us know,
Victor Krum.
Hermione stared at the letter wide-eyed. The last time she had heard from Victor must have been some time in sixth year. In fact, until now, she'd barely thought of him, beside the rare quidditch article in the Daily Prophet that she actually read.
Immediately, the brunette pulled out a fresh roll of parchment, some ink, and a quill. After a moment's hesitation as to what to write, she eventually penned down the following:
Dear Victor,
My goodness! It's been ages since we last corresponded. I'm also sorry we lost contact…
Congratulations on your marriage! Agnes sounds very sensible, suggesting the proving-yourself bit. I suppose I'll do the same. The thing that you would know about me is that the one day we were both studying in the Hogwarts Library, a week or so before you asked me to the dance, I cast a notice-me-not spell around us so your giggling fan group would leave us alone, and proceeded to do so for the next few days, although I'm not sure we ever discussed why the left.
I would be thrilled to meet with you guys! Where are you staying while in London? Have you ever been to Dragon Alley? Even if you had, it's changed a lot in the last few years. How about we meet for tea at a small coffee/tea/book shop there called Tea Leaf Pages at three? I'll explain how to get there below.
I suppose we'll talk more then, although I do want to say that of course I recognized your Handwriting! We spent many months studying beside each other, not to mention our letters over the following years!
See you soon,
Hermione Granger.
Hermione was on edge all day the next day, barely managing to do any work. Finally, around four, she gave up and went home to see if the owl returned. When she unlocked the door, she saw the owl patiently sitting on her coffee table, a scrap of parchment tied to his leg. Excitedly, Hermione hurried to untie it, tossing the owl some scraps from her lunch.
Hermione,
Alright! We'll see you then. We can catch up and share more stories next week. And by the way, your handwriting is still the same - beautiful.
Agnes will be rather put out if I don't mention that we actually have a dinner-ball that evening around seven, so she thought you should have a heads up. She also said you're welcome to join (Agnes is on the board of the European Professional Quidditch Players and Alumni Association), but please don't feel pressured.
See you,
Victor.
By the Friday before her meeting, Hermione was a ball of nerves and excitement. That day she went to lunch with Harry, Ginny, Parvati and her boyfriend Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Padma Patil, and (terrifyingly) Ron. It wasn't often so many of them met up for something like lunch, but Pavarti and Dean were to leave that afternoon to go on a six-month trip all over the Americas and some of Oceania. They claimed it was just to explore the world, but Hermione had a hunch there was more to it.
Hermione was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron nervously swirling her butterbeer. Ginny was talking animatedly about her son, James, while Lavender roared with laughter. The blonde girl had grown up some since leaving Hogwarts, but Hermione still wasn't a fan.
"What are your plans for this weekend, Hermione?" Dean asked suddenly.
"Oh! Well um," She glanced around, making sure that Harry and Ron weren't here yet. She was hoping to leave before they got here. Afterall, it would be the first time besides a couple elevator rides and awkward meetings that they would be in the same room together. "Do you remember the Yule ball-"
"And how you went with International Quidditch Star Victor Krum?" Exclaimed Pavarti excitedly. Suddenly all eyes were on the brunette witch. "What about him?"
"Well, He's in London this weekend for some quidditch coach convention of sorts and he allowed me to meet up for tea." Hermione smiled. She truly was rather excited.
Just then the absolute last person she wanted to hear that sentence said, right behind her, "Who're you going to tea with?"
There was a beat of silence before Ginny carefully said, "Er Ron… Victor Krum is in town."
"You- what, did you leave me for him?!" Ron practically yelled.
"No, no, no. We haven't even-"
"I cannot believe you, Hermione!" Let me guess, you've been with him this whole time. I don't know why I ever thought-" Suddenly her ex-husband's mouth was moving but no sound was coming out. Harry looked at her surprised.
"I know he was out of line, but casting a silence on him? Really?" Harry chortled.
"I… it was an accident," Hermione mumbled, her cheeks burning. She took out her wand and lifted the jinx. "And Ronald, for your information, I most certainly have not been having an affair with the boy I went on a single date with at age fifteen! In fact, we haven't talked in years 'till his letter the other week. I cannot believe you think so little of me! Furthermore, tomorrow we are meeting for tea in Diagon alley to catch up and so I can meet his wife."
Ron stared blankly at his ex-wife before sitting down on the opposite side of the table, his ears flaming. Ginny was muttering something about her brother being a git, but otherwise everyone seemed to just be trying not to laugh.
Finally, Seamus cleared his through and began to ask Dean to tell more about where he and Pavarti were traveling to first, although that had been covered in depth already.
The remainder of the lunch was only marginally awkward with Hermione mostly looking down and listening to the others. Ron, meanwhile, kept trying to say things, presumably trying to amend his stupidity earlier.
Around ten to one, Hermione announced she had better be going. Truth was, she actually had already done all the work she needed to do that day but she simply couldn't sit at the table any longer.
On her way out the pub she was so lost in thought that she actually walked right into something solid. Upon further inspection, she realized it was a person. A very muscular person.
"Sorry, sorry - Malfoy? Haven't seen you in some time." Hermione was shocked at her old arch-enemy. While she still wasn't a fan of the bloke, she - along with Harry - had testified for him after the war and was a main reason his only punishment was to return to Hogwarts to repeat his seventh year, take his N. E. W. T.s and then six months of house arrest, followed by two years working at the ministry. Considering that most death eaters had life sentences in Azkaban, this was rather generous.
"Just because you're oblivious, Granger, doesn't mean I haven't been around," He sneered before shoving past her. S'pose leopards never change their spots, Hermione Mused as she flooded back to the Ministry.
As she sat at her desk, attempting to prepare for the court hearing she was to attend first thinh Monday morning she couldn't help letting her thoughts wander back to her fourth year. In the last few years, Hermione hadn't spent much time remembering that disastrous year. Besides Harry nearly dying, Ron not asking her to the ball, Cedric Diggroy actually dying, and Voldemort's return, that year was chock full of disaster. Looking back now, Hermjone paid special attention to her nemesis of her teen years; Malfoy. That year he had been as awful as ever, however Hermioen had started to wonder about him. Why would he act the way he had?
Hermione had testified for the blonde, along with Harry, but it had been more for Harry than Draco Marlfoy. Why would she dare stand up for the guy? His actions had been horrible. Eventually the brunette realized he didn't have much of a choice, his parents had brainwashed him, but Hermione didn't think that could excuse his behavior, Especially today, so many years later.
One o'clock on Saturday arrived to find Hermione wrapped in a towel staring at her closet. What on earth does one wear to tea with their ex-boyfriend and his fiance? A nice blouse? Jeans? A dress?
After trying on far more outfits than Hermione was scared to admit, she was now standing in front of the mirror in a cream turtleneck sweater, boot-leg dark blue jeans over wedge black ankle-boots, and her knee-length, woolen beige coat. Simple, professional, comfortable. As for her hair, she decided to leave it down, tamed to perfection. The brunette wasn't a fan of makeup, so a bit of lipstick, concealer, and mascara later Hermione was flooing to the Leaky.
She took a deep breath as she came upon Tea Leaf Pages. Carefully he opened the door to the cozy cafe, the walls lined with books. Small tables and comfy chairs littered the area, soft piano music fluttering about from a flower-painted self-playing piano in the corner.
Then a voice called, "Er-my-nee." the witch slowly turned to face her ex -
A/N: I know I'm EVILLL. So sorry. I promise it'll be worth the wait. Exciting things are soon to happen.