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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters; they all belong to J.K Rowlings and Warner Brothers. Although I wish I did lol.
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A/N: Well it's been a while hasn't it? I'm so sorry for the long wait to this story. I really did leave you guys hanging in that last chapter. And once again there is a mini cliffy in here so please forgive me. Once again this is a Harry/Hermione pairing so if you don't like the pairing don't read it. I'd like to thank ALL the reviewers for their wonderful comments about this story. I'll try to update sooner next time but I'm getting better I think. You didn't have to wait a year for the next installment. Also I would like to have the same amount of reviews for this chapter because I could really use the comments to make this better. That and tomorrow is my birthday and it would be such a great birthday present to hear what everyone thinks. So please take a few seconds to review at the end of the chapter. Reminder anything in bold text is the characters in the future speaking directly to the readers, they're the narrators. Anything is normal text is the present so that includes most of the story. There aren't anymore italics but that is past tense. Remember to Read, Rate and Review. Thanks!
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Eternal Rhapsody
Chapter One: Oblivious
Chapter 2/5
By: Sapphire Rose (aka Lily Flower)
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"No vision and you perish; No Ideal, and you're lost; your heart must ever cherish some faith at any cost. Some hope, some dream to cling to, some rainbow in the sky, some melody to sing to, some service that is high."
Harriet Du Autermont
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Nothing could have prepared me for the turn in my life I was about to take. It was completely unexpected; then again it seemed to fit perfectly at the same time. The most memorable moments happened that one summer two years after Hogwarts. By that time Harry, Ron and I all shared an apartment together. Now I know that sounds strange, two guys and a girl sharing one apartment together, but we ignored the comments. All that mattered was that we were together and we were happy.
The apartment was located in Diagon Alley right by the Ministry building, the perfect location for all our needs. Harry made sure the landlord didn't give us any special treatment, so as you can imagine everyone got along. Then again, moving in was another story. I fondly remember that big, old bookcase falling practically on top of Ron. I was distracted and accidentally lowered the bookcase on top of him. But luckily for him I realized before any serious damage was inflicted. Till this day he thinks I did that on purpose, oh well for him. There were three bedrooms, a study, kitchen, living room, dinning room, large bathroom and a game room. Honestly I would have used that room for something more useful…
'Like for more books!'
Oh shush up Ron, I'm the one telling this story. Anyway, thing couldn't have been more perfect at the time. As for our job lives, I worked for the Ministry of Magic in the Foreign Policy Department also known as Magical Co-operation. Harry was training to be an Auror. And as for Ron he got his dream and played for the Chuddly Cannons as their keeper.
On the relationship side Harry remained single; he just wasn't really interested in anyone. Of course he tried dating a few girls but it was never serious. Ron and I had broken up as you know. Our friendship didn't change of course but at that present moment I wasn't dating anyone. Ron on the other hand must have been out with a different girl every week, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say month. I honestly think fame was getting to his head.
That summer everything changed and for the first time all I saw was those sparkling emerald eyes…
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It was another day at the office for Ms. Hermione Granger and what a day it was. Stacks upon stacks of paper work lined the desk and floor of her office, it was endless. So far two of her superiors dumped their work in her office to review and make sure the necessary implications were inserted. This was the life of someone working in Foreign Policy. If she wanted to be Minister of Magic someday this was the department she needed to be in.
Hermione stared up at the clock on the wall and noticed it was almost approaching lunch time. Unfortunately for her if she wanted to get all her work done at a normal time she would have to order something in. She looked back down at her papers and became lost in the words. It was yet another proposal to the Egyptian Ministry to ask for support in the alliance pact between England, France, Spain, the United States and various other countries. There has been past alliances but this was renewing the agreement with some alterations the previous agreement didn't include.
Honestly if she wasn't here she didn't know how this department would move along. She practically ran the entire floor to begin with. With her help this department's productivity increased a full twenty percent. That was a record for any Ministry Department that ever existed. All she had to do was rise in the ranks in this department and then run for Minister in maybe eight years or so. She wanted to be the youngest and only woman, muggle minister ever elected. Yes she was a bit ambitious but she needed to be if she wanted to get anywhere in this field.
Some time passed by and she didn't notice the door slowly opening to allow someone in. They stood there for a few minutes, staring at the girl with massive amounts of papers surrounding her.
"Swamped with work again I see."
A slight chuckle could be heard and when Hermione noticed the voice it jumped her out of her thoughts, practically falling off of her chair.
"Harry how many times have I told you not to scare me like that?!?"
"Ummm…a few?"
Hermione just shook her head at his boyish grin. No matter how much older he got he would always be young at heart. That was one of the many things she loved and admired about him.
"So what has brought you here today in my neck of the woods?"
"Well it was getting late and I'm on my hour lunch break now so I was wondering if you would like to join me. I needed a break from training."
"Well you could have skipped training all together but I can't go I'm swamped with paper work."
"So I've noticed, but I didn't want special treatment besides I want you to come with me."
"Harry I just can't…"
"Pretty, pretty please?"
"No Harry don't start pulling that face…that's cheating!"
"So you'll come with me?"
"Argg fine I'll go."
Harry practically jumped up for joy. Hermione couldn't believe he pulled a puppy face on her. Why did that have to be her weakness? She couldn't say no to it…ever. She got her cloak on and walked towards the door.
"Oh and by the way Harry if I don't finish my work by the end of the day you'll be the one to face my wrath."
"Well then I'll make sure to sleep out tonight."
"Very funny."
She slapped him upside the head when he began to laugh.
"Oww!...now you've bruised my ego."
"Such a horror."
"Alright Mrs. Smarty-pants time to eat because I'm hungry."
"Yep I know…you and your stomach."
"That's right we have a date!"
"So is Ron coming along?"
"You mean Quidditch extraordinaire? No he isn't, he has a press conference so he can't make it."
"Alright well I guess we should be off then."
"Where would you like to go?"
"I don't know somewhere close."
"Works for me."
Harry and Hermione left the Ministry building and began searching for a place to eat. They found a small, secluded café down the street and took a seat at one of the tables. The weather was cool with a light breeze, perfect for summer and sitting outside. Life after Hogwarts hadn't changed much except that they all had jobs and they weren't going to school. A waitress came by to drop off the menus for them. Harry and Hermione stared down and began to read the selection.
"I have no idea what I want."
"Well you can have anything you like."
"Harry you aren't going to pay for my meal again."
"But Hermione I really don't mind."
"Well I do."
"Too late I already made up my mind nothing you say can make me change it."
"Pain."
"But you love me for it."
He gave her his classic smile and she just rolled her eyes in response. The waitress came back to take their orders. After they finished placing them they handed back the menus.
"So what was all that work on your desk earlier?"
"Just another revision of the alliance agreement being sent to Egypt; nothing major."
"I see your superiors had no problems giving you all that work."
"Trust me I know, I honestly don't know how they ever got along without me to being with."
"So yes because you're so absolutely perfect."
Harry said mocking her and Hermione couldn't help but to laugh.
"Well it's true I am perfect."
She shot back a smile that could equal to his own. Harry loved when he could talk to her like this. He couldn't help but think of old feeling either. No matter what girl he went out with no one could take his mind off the brown haired beauty sitting in front of him this moment. He never told her how he felt, he wasn't ready to.
"Now explain to me why you think you are?"
"I don't know I just am."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Well…yes I do."
"It's a good thing I like you."
"So how's your day going so far?"
"Same as always…work, work and even more work."
"I know the feeling well."
"That you do but I asked for this."
"It's be over eventually don't worry."
Her smile always got to him. The whole time they were talking he just watched her. She looked so peaceful, so at ease he couldn't describe how she looked at that moment. She just radiated positive energy. What he would give if he could just reach out and touch her. The food was brought to the table with their drinks and all talk of work, friends and life ceased. They both dug into their food sharing an occasional smile here and there. It was actually a funny sight to see. Harry picked up some of Ron's habits when it came to eating. It's like they always say, growing men need to eat. And that's exactly what Harry was doing. Hermione couldn't help but watch and laughed inwardly. It still amazed her that he had that kind of appetite. She just went back to eating her own food at a much slower pace than Harry. Eventually the food was gone and cleared from the table.
"That was soooo good."
"I couldn't agree more with you Hermione."
"I don't think I'll be able to get up."
"Well then I guess you're stuck with me."
"No, I need to get back to work soon."
"But I don't want you to go! You aren't allowed to leave this table."
"I just can't Harry, anyway we live together you'll see me after work."
"Fine but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it."
"Well neither am I, I was having a lovely time but then reality hit."
"Well since you're working late I'll make dinner so you won't have to."
"That's really sweet…I know there was a reason I liked you."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry and held him tightly as they began to get up. All Harry could think about was having her close, just holding her there. It was the greatest feeling in the world to him. Unfortunately he knew it had to end and they had to return back to work. For now he just put a smile on to show he was alright. Hermione took his hand and they began their journey to work.
"By the way Harry I think all that training was worth it. You're beginning to fill out in all the right places. I'm sure girls will be all over you."
She gave him a wink and a smile. All Harry could do was blush at the comment and shake his head.
"You are something else."
"Trust me I know, remember perfection."
"Yeah I remember."
"Good."
Finally arriving at the Ministry building they walked up to Hermione's office. They stood in front of her door for a while, smiles evident on both their faces.
"Well I had a lovely time Harry."
"So did I."
"I'll see you back at the apartment."
"Alright, see you."
He placed a soft kiss on her cheek and for some reason it only made her smile grow. She watched as he walked away from her and all she could think of was,
'The girl that lands that boy is going to be very lucky.'
She looked towards her secretary Janelle who was trying very hard not to look in their direction. Without looking up at Hermione she said,
"While you were out one of your superiors left more work on your desk."
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"Nope, and by the way when are the two of you going to wake up?"
"What do you mean?"
"I think you know…"
"Well I'm going to lock myself in my office now since I'll be here most of the night to finish all the work they've given me."
"Alright I'll be sure to scare anyone else away."
"You're a lifesaver Janelle…have I told you lately that I love you?"
"No you haven't but I know you do."
With that Hermione closed the door shut hoping Janelle could keep her superiors at bay long enough for her to get something done. As she said before what ever would they do without her?
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Hermione was always the work-alcoholic as we all know and love. Eventually she became the department head. So she's getting closer to living her dream and I was and still am very happy for her and proud. That day my feelings for her came alive. It was the simplest, sweetest moment we shared. That kiss lingered on my lips all day, I still remember it perfectly. But the day got progressively better as it went on. That is if you didn't count work or training. But we'll leave that part of the story for another time. Life for us then was completely oblivious.
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A/N: So tell me honestly how terrible that was?..lol. The next chapter is already laid out so I hope to get it out to you soon. I'll try not to make you wait too long for it I promise. Special thanks to my boyfriend who once again put up with all my doubts and was so kind enough to beta read for me. He's the greatest isn't he?..lol but that's what I think personally. I got him hooked to Harry Potter and I benefit from it hehe. Just kidding lol but anyway thanks again for all the reviews and the ones to come! When the story is finished I'd like to know if I should write a sequel or just write a general epilogue but that's up to you and what the readers want. It may be my story but I'm here to please…lol. Well I'm out hope you enjoyed the story so far!
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Created on ... November 11, 2004