Authors Notes: Of course, thanks to everyone who's reviewed :D
This chapter isn't actually the chapter I wrote originally- that chapter is coming next. Instead I thought I'd put in this cute idea that came into my head whilst eating lunch :p This is the only chapter that's going to have a special name- I couldn't resist the name :p
The day Hermione came back from Rome was the day Harry felt his life truly began. She rented her own flat right near the entrance to the Ministry, so she could gain easy access to their archives. Her research on ancient magic had gone incredibly well in Rome and she had made a start on writing her book whilst in Rome and set about finishing it as soon as she returned.
Harry had finished the basic training program by the time Hermione returned. He graduated early, having demonstrated extraordinary skills. He took up his employment at the Ministry as an Auror the day after his nineteenth birthday, the youngest in the history of the Auror's.
He flicked through the next few pages in his album, small memories he and Hermione had made. Soon after she got back Harry had purchased a small, cheap car and they would often take off for the weekend. Having friends spread out across the countryside motivated them a lot more- they were the only ones to have remained in London.
The next page he stopped at made him laugh. All that was on the page was a piece of fishing line and a small fish hook.
The day Hermione caught a fish.
The lake was off the main road, up a hardly used dirt track. They had found it several months before and every time they were in the area they would stop. Today was the first day they had come specifically for the lake. Harry had found some disused fishing equipment in the basement of Grimmauld Place, and after wondering why the Black's had muggle fishing equipment, decided they should put it to good use.
Hermione had been slightly curious when Harry had suggested a fishing trip- they didn't even know if the lake had fish in it, but they were going to give it a try. They had cheated slightly and had conjured bait- just some basic worms.
'Here we go,' Harry said, dumping the stuff on a patch of grass that wasn't as high as the rest. Hermione appeared moments later, looking slightly disgruntled.
'Harry, what is the point of this?' she asked, looking at him over the top of her sunglasses. 'Neither of us know how to fish!'
'I got the general gist of it on the TV the other day,' he said, grinning broadly. 'Besides, it's a fun day out!'
She muttered something Harry didn't catch, but he figured it would've been about her book. She had been growing increasingly stressed over how the book was going- from what Harry had been allowed to read it was fantastic, but whenever he told her that she would reply with a comment about how his opinion was always going to be biased.
The worms were all squirming around in a bucket that Harry had magically sealed and he pulled one out and grabbed the nearest fishing rod.
'Now, if what I saw was right, we've just gotta get the worm on the hook and toss it in the water,' he said, as he pushed the hook through the belly of the worm and passed the rod to Hermione.
'I seriously think you're going insane,' she said, holding the rod gingerly. 'Can you imagine what people would think if they saw us?'
'They'd think you're insane too,' he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
'I always knew being with you would have side effects,' she said bitterly, but smiling at the same time.
'Just throw the line in the water!' Harry exclaimed. He pushed a worm onto the hook of the other line and went and stood down near the water. 'Ready?'
They threw their lines out into the water at the exact same moment, both of them making a slight noise as they entered the water.
'And now we wait.'
'And what do you suppose we do whilst waiting?' she asked him, stepping right up close to him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
'Mmm… I dunno… I do have an idea but…' he murmured, kissing her softly. 'I packed a book.'
'A book?'
'Yes- you know, got pages and stuff,' he joked and she hit him playfully. 'I thought I might read to you.'
'You do know I can read,' she said as they sat down beside the stuff Harry had dumped.
'Yes, but you read too much. And I want to read to you.'
Wordlessly, she surrendered and snuggled herself in beside Harry as he opened the book. He'd grabbed the first one he came to, he had no idea what it was. He was just about to start when Hermione leapt up suddenly.
'The fishing rod!' she exclaimed, running down to where they had left them. Harry stood up and realised why she was running- hers was slowly sliding towards the river. As he made his was down to her, she managed to lunge on it and get a good hold and pull the line out of the water.
And there, hanging on the hook, was a fish. Hermione burst out laughing as she held the rod up high, the fish dangling helplessly.
'I caught a fish!' she exclaimed, laughing hysterically. 'I don't bloody believe it!'
Harry started laughing along with her and looked down at the book he had in his hand and realised how fitting it was.
Moby Dick.