Chapter summary: Hermione and Harry take lunch, and more information about the characters' current lives are revealed. First part is mostly Harry's POV.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these except the plot and the my original characters.
Author's Notes: J. K. Rowling mentioned in her Q&A during World Book Day that Hermione was supposed to have a younger sister, right? Well, I sort of played out the idea in my mind to use in my story, but instead of a younger sister, a younger brother (with straight brown/sandy hair and big light brown eyes) kept popping in my head. I desperately wanted to stick with JKR's idea, but a lot of good ones started forming in my head after I considered the other prospect. SO… what I did was I gave Hermione TWO younger siblings, meaning her siblings are fraternal twins. Much better, don't you think? I know it sounds so unconventional but I didn't want Hermione to be left totally alone when I killed her parents. (I'm evil (and a bit clichéd), I know. Don't worry, though, I've got plans for them, even though their dead. :)
Chapter One: Lunch with Harry
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Hopefully, this day would turn out a lot better than she expected.
***
A crack! like a whip was heard as Harry Potter Apparated in a deserted alley. He was careful, so as not to be seen by any Muggles. Clad in usual Muggle attire, he walked in the direction towards the café where he was supposed to have lunch with his best friend, Hermione Granger.
A soft ringing of the bell was heard has he pushed the door open, revealing the welcoming atmosphere of the place. Hermione told him and Ron about this place countless times but the three of them never really got around to eating here together. He had to admit it, though, the place really felt comfortable. It was almost full of people, although it was still a bit early. But what surprised him most was the way the customers treated each other. It was as if everybody knew each other. His eyes roamed around once and found the bushy-haired female he was looking for at a table, in the far corner of the café by the window. As if sensing that he was there, Hermione looked towards his direction and waved. He smiled as she gestured him to come and sit.
"Hey." Harry said as he sat down opposite her, still smiling. "How've you been?"
"Good, actually." Hermione replied and Harry noticed that she suddenly had a faraway look on her face.
The Second War had all changed them in some ways more than one. Some of them had even come to the point where they would lose all hope, but not Hermione. She had always been a source of strength for him and she was always there to soothe and comfort him. He had always thought that he was the only one who always got hurt… the only one who kept losing the people he loved. He hadn't realized how wrong he was until he saw the pain Hermione went through when she lost her mother and father, and almost lost her whole family. How selfish he was in those days.
Hermione's parents had died when they tried to protect Hermione's younger brother and sister when Death Eaters attacked their home. It was mid-November during their seventh year, and the Order had called an urgent meeting (they had been considered as members in those times). Apparently, Voldemort decided that if he couldn't attack Harry then he would attack those that Harry loved. Their plan was to kill and torture anyone emotionally close to Harry within reach, and during those times, rumors kept spreading that he was engaged to Hermione (when he wasn't). Naturally, Voldemort wanted to get Hermione badly but he knew that she was going to be protected. So, he did the only thing a filthy scum like him would do. He ordered his Death Eaters to attack Hermione's unprotected family. The Order got hold of the plan through their spies, and their forces hurriedly went to the Grangers' rescue, but they were a minute too late.
Alex and Jane Granger had been hit with the Cruciatus Curse more than twice when they tried to shield their younger children from the attacks. All four of them had been hit but it was the father and mother who had received the strongest impacts. The Order, together with Harry, Ron and Hermione fought off the Death Eaters, and immediately aided Hermione's siblings. The following events had almost been unbearable, even thinking of it would cause a wrenching in Harry's heart until now. He could only imagine what Hermione felt every time she remembered it.
"I'm still working at the library for the summer, and I'll be back to teach Charms at Hogwarts this coming school year. You?" Hermione asked, smiling while trying to keep her voice low.
"Not as busy as before, thank Merlin. Things are starting to loosen up the Ministry." Harry glanced sideways and saw some people staring inquiringly towards their direction. "Do you think they can hear us?" He asked.
Hermione laughed softly and waved her hand dismissively, "No, that's not their business and they know that." She then smiled slyly and continued, "They're just curious on who could be the intriguingly good looking man that their local librarian is going to have lunch with."
Harry blushed but he raised an eyebrow, "I would hardly call you boring, and I'm an intriguingly good looking man now, am I?" he asked with his boyish grin.
Hermione gasped mockingly and put a hand to her chest, her eyes wide but laughing, "Are you implying, Mr. Potter, that I find you attractive?"
Harry leaned forward, hands folded on the table and looked straight in her eyes, "I don't know. Do you?" he asked, his own eyes darkening slightly with sudden intense emotion.
Hermione got lost for a while, looking into his eyes, trying to think about what she was going to reply.
It was moments like these when the seemingly full of retort Hermione Granger would become speechless and undeniably mystified. It was moments like these when something would suddenly pop and interrupt, and they would both snap back to the present looking quite guilty. In this case, it was Jamie the waitress.
"Are you both ready to order?" She said cheerfully while looking back and fort Harry and Hermione, all the while becoming curious.
And so, the gaze of the two broke apart, Harry suddenly taking interest in the menu for the first time and Hermione fumbling something on her lap. Apparently, she found that something very interesting.
Harry groaned inwardly, mentally scolding himself. Stupid prat! Of all places!
Hermione regained her composure and cleared her throat, "I'll just have my usual, Jamie." She smiled at the waitress.
"I'll just have coffee and the biggest, most special dish you have." Harry looked up at Jamie and smiled too.
Hermione couldn't help noticing that Jamie smiled flirtatiously back. What? Hermione shook her head.
"You'll have it in a few minutes!" Jamie once again said cheerily, never taking her eyes off Harry while she walked away.
Her cheeriness is starting to get annoying. Hermione thought (just a bit) bitterly as she glared at a spot of dirt on the table.
What? She shook her head again.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked, his brows knitted together. She kept shaking her head, and kept crossing and uncrossing her legs under the table. It's wasn't very spacious down there, mind you, it was starting to seriously distract him.
Hermione snapped back to reality, "Oh, uh, of course. Have you heard from Ron lately?" She asked, trying to brush away the past few minutes. She was trying to talk to him naturally again.
Harry smiled, trying to relieve Hermione out of her misery, "His tour with the Chuddley Cannons is almost over, in case you didn't know. I'm glad. I'll finally have someone to share my place again. It's huge and empty without you guys there." He said, leaning back in his chair, his voice barely being able to hide his sadness.
Hermione looked at him in sympathy, "Oh, Harry… why don't you just get someone to rent it with you? Or much better, why don't you just get yourself a girlfriend?" She said earnestly.
Harry had to hide his hurt. Great. Just great. Smooth move, Potter. If she only knew…
He snorted, hoping she was convinced, "You know I can't."
"Here are your orders." It was another waitress, Jamie was off entertaining other customers. Their chat was momentarily paused as they busied themselves with their food.
Hermione looked at him quizzically, "And why not?" she asked, and couldn't help but roll her eyes and draw out an exasperated breath,
"Not every woman on this earth is after your fame and money, Harry." She leaned forward and gestured with her hands, "You just have to give them a chance, that's all."
Harry didn't look convinced so Hermione continued, "You aren't seriously considering the prospect of actually being the last Potter, are you?" she asked, smiling slightly.
Harry sighed and picked up his fork. This is getting difficult. Why don't I just tell her? No! You know it's too soon. Not yet. He sighed again. Maybe I should just consider what she's saying.
"Fine then, Ms. Granger, I'll open myself up to that advice." Harry finally said.
***
After an hour, the two exited the café. Both refreshed from their lunch and chat, they headed towards the park to take a walk. Hermione had her hands behind her back while Harry carried her bag with one hand, the other inside his pockets.
"What time do you usually go home when you work at the library?" He asked.
"There's no exact time, really. I just make sure that I'm home not more than a few hours after lunch. But I have this afternoon free so I don't have to come back until tomorrow." She paused, contemplating, "I try to be home as much as possible. I can't let my grandparents take total charge of Michael and Kate's lives. I have to be part if it too." She said and there was a slight grim determination in her voice.
Harry looked sideways at her, "Hermione, nobody's going to take them away from you… anymore." He added the last word as an afterthought. Hermione looked straight ahead.
"Let's talk about something else, shall we?" Hermione said it like a statement.
"Fine." Harry said. A slightly awkward pause followed as he tried to think of another topic.
"Ron and Luna are together again." He finally blurted out.
Hermione smiled, "I've been wondering about those two. I thought they knew better than to stay away from each other for too long."
Ron Weasley and Luna Lovegood were Hogwarts' "sweetest and most unique couple", as Parvati and Lavander put it. It started during their sixth year, continuing on until now. It was a bit unbelievable for Harry and Hermione at first because as well as everybody knew back then, Ron would rather kiss a Skrewt than get closer to Luna. But because fate had other plans, romance bloomed and that's how they are now. They're relationship had one drawback, however, they kept breaking up then getting back together. Hermione knew they were both helplessly in-love but both of them were too scared of what they were feeling that sometimes one of them would hold back.
"Tell me what the other Weasleys have been up to." Hermione prodded Harry. They were almost at the park now.
Harry sighed and smiled. He always did this when they were together. Smiling, that is. "Well, Bill is in France right now, with Fleur, no less. He's doing more treasure hunting for Gringotts. Charlie's still in Romania, he dropped by my office last week to show me some new propositions for dragon breeding. As if he thinks I'd believe that excuse." He chuckled.
Hermione turned her head, brows knitted together, "Why?" she asked.
Harry grinned, "He's dating someone from the Office. I don't know her name yet but I've got a pretty good guess who it is."
"Really?" Hermione's eyes widened and she laughed, "Wow." She said, smiling.
It was common knowledge to the Weasley family and to those who knew them that Charlie had never even once had a girlfriend after he graduated at Hogwarts. They didn't question his sexuality but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been seriously worried for the past few years if their children were ever going to get married and have their own children. The loving couple still lives at the Burrow with their youngest daughter, Ginny who was still fresh from graduation. It came to everybody's surprise, however, that Fred and George (Weasley's Wizard Wheezes becoming a huge success) became both engaged last year; to Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell. They hadn't set a date yet but both parties stated that they were in no hurry whatsoever.
They were at the park now. Children were scattered all around and some adults were seated at the benches. They didn't notice the adoring looks that some people gave them as they passed. They found an empty bench beside a couple of trees and promptly sat on it.
***
TBC