Chapter 5: Patient X and Ice Cream Cones
Hermione stepped into the library, breathing in the smell of old and new book bindings, ink and paper. She loved this mostly quiet space where she could check out and return her audio books without fear of judgement. All the librarians here had been kind to her since she was a child. As she thought that, her mind wandered back to the head librarian and why she had never met him before. Her body tingled as she remembered his kind, low smooth voice with just a touch of hoarseness to it as though he had once suffered an illness.
"Here to return your books," asked that very voice as she stopped at the counter.
"Yes sir," was her soft reply as she handed up her bag. "I loved each one."
"I have ordered the final two The Circle Opens books for you," Mr. Lupin said, handing her book bag back. "They came in yesterday. Shal I check them out for you?"
"Oh yes please Mr. Lupin," Hermione replied shyly, and was soon on her way with a half full book bag slung over her shoulder.
As she said good-bye to Mr. Lupin, she didn't realize that he was frantically checking her name in his database. The name did in fact say Hermione Green. Hermione carefully opened the door and let it shut gently before using her cane to help guide herself back home. She had made sure that each cassette had been rewound before she had returned it, and that the cases were in good condition. She would never have a book treated badly on her watch. She soon entered her home and put the bag away before putting the kettle on to heat. Her mother wouldn't be home for a while, but that was just fine with her.
When Sirius and Remus got off work, they met Harry at The Leaky Cauldron. It had been years since they'd visited the pub, and honestly, they didn't miss it. Whenever either of them had to go to the alley, they usually bypassed the pub entirely, just walking in and out as fast as humanly possible. Harry sat there, a pint of mead for his godfather and uncle resting on the table. Remus downed his pint of mead and turned to Sirius and Harry.
"We've both seen the clone but Harry hasn't," he said matter-of-factly. "You two have seen the real Hermione lying there in Saint mungos but I haven't. Let's make a trade. I'm sure she'll be shopping tomorrow at the grocery store where Sirius works."
Sirius nodded and downed his pint, then walked through the pub. Remus and Harry followed him at a brisk walk. It took some time to get to the spell damage floor and into the long time care ward, but they managed it. Remus tried to follow Sirius and Harry through Hermione's curtained off area but was stopped time and time again.
"This is not fair!" He shouted. "She is my soul bonded."
"She is just a shell of our Hermione," said Sirius sadly. "She's not really there. Her mind is gone."
"Legilimens," said Remus, pointing his wand at Sirius.
His friend didn't fight him, but he could find nothing of her in his mind. All that was there was the young eighteen year old that tethered them all together. Remus lowered his wand and rested his face in his hands. Harry and Sirius wrapped their arms around him, giving him a comforting hug.
"Fancy an ice cream after you're done shopping?" Asked the low, gruff voice of the deli worker as Hermione picked out a package of turkey. "Some friends and I know a great shop that has tons of good flavors."
"So this is not a date then?" Hermione asked with a blush she was sure would melt the whole frozen section.
"Nah," said the deli worker… "Hadn't he introduced himself before? "It's just me and two other guys."
"Mmmmm," said Hermione. "I need to pick up some perishables and then head home. I'm not sure about stopping fore an ice cream cone."
"We have a delivery service," the man offered. "It won't be that bad, I promise."
Finally Hermione gave in after buying a carton of milk, a tub of cottage cheese, and a few other items. Soon she found herself with Mr. Lupin, Mr. Black (the deli worker), and a younger man who just told her to call him Harry. The experience was quite enjoyable actually. After nibbling on a cone of mint chip ice cream and talking to these men more, she found that Harry could be a real friend. With the other two, she felt a deeper connection she didn't quite understand. It was like they both needed her somehow and needed each other, but didn't need each other as much as they needed her. She didn't understand it.
"We'd all love it if you'd write to us Hermione," said Harry.
"How would you read it?" she asked in confusion. "You can't read braille."
"I think we can figure out a way," said the smooth voice of Mr. Lupin.
After a while, she insisted she must go home and prepare dinner. Harry helped her to her street, and from there Hermione knew where she was going. She shyly hugged the young man and said she would write to them. She had all their addresses and would bring them to the library so Mr. Lupin could send them to the right people. She heard Harry walk away, offering her a good night as he passed and she smiled. She really hoped she was getting into something good.
A/N I hope you like this story. Please read and review on any thoughts you may have on where it could go. Ideas are welcome. Flames will be used to barbecue my steaks.