Authors Notes: Sorry I didn't get this up earlier- things got crazy trying to plan for my trip away, but I'm back now, so you get the update now :D Not a terribly long one I'm afraid- although the story is a lot longer than I thought it would be- it's 20 pages in Word now!!!
Hermione catching a fish was priceless- Harry had dearly wished he had something other than his memory to rely on for that day. Of course, after she got the fish ashore, they had to get it off the hook and Hermione had spent most of the time squealing in disgust. Harry hadn't helped matters by chasing her back to the car, threatening to give her a slap with the fish.
He turned the page and found a single sheet of parchment, folded over once. Without even opening it he knew what it was. The original, handwritten, dedication page of Hermione's book…
Closing the file on his desk, Harry quickly sent it flying across the room into the automatic filing tray and stood up, relieved. He'd spent all day behind his desk, catching up on the paperwork he hadn't done in so long.
'Night Harry!' Tonks called to him brightly, as she headed past his cubicle. 'Don't be here all night!'
She disappeared out into the hallway outside Auror headquarters and Harry went to follow her, but at the last minute decided he couldn't be bothered. Being an Auror meant that Harry was one of the only few people who could apparate in or out of the Ministry building. They weren't meant to abuse the privilege, but Harry had had a long day and couldn't be bothered going out the normal way. He closed his eyes and several seconds later opened them and found himself in the small entry way into his flat.
Without turning on any lights, he dropped his cloak on the floor and headed into the kitchen, where he managed to find a bottle of Butterbeer in the cupboard. He really needed to do some shopping- he wasn't sure if there was anything for him for dinner. He knew if there wasn't he could just go to Hermione's flat- she always had food.
Still without turning any lights on, he headed into the living room and turned on the television. It gave the room some slight lighting and Harry sank down into the lounge.
'Hey,' a voice said from beside him and Harry jumped so high that his Butterbeer went flying into the air and came back down, smashing on his head. He had no idea how he got off the lounge so quickly and over to the light switch. The overhead light came on and, dripping with Butterbeer, heart pounding, he took a look at his mystery visitor.
'Hermione, you scared the bejesus out of me,' he panted, pulling his wand out and cleaning the Butter beer off himself.
'Sorry,' she whispered, standing up and looking at him ashamedly. 'I- I just thought I'd come and meet you.'
'Meet me?' Harry asked, confused. He then realised that she was clutching a rather thick volume close to her chest. 'Is- is that-'
'My book,' she whispered, holding it out with slightly shaking hands. 'I finished. I finally finished.'
Harry took hold of the book- it was incredibly heavy. It was bound in scarlet leather and the title was embossed on the cover in gold.
'Exploring The Myths and Inconsistency's in Ancient Magic, by Hermione Granger,' he read off the cover, proudly. 'Hermione- you did it.'
'I know,' she said, smiling. 'That- that's your copy. An original.'
'Did you send-'
'Yes, I sent it to the publisher already. But I wanted to give you this copy,' she said, coming over to him and throwing her arms around his neck and laughing joyfully. 'Oh Harry, I never thought I'd finish it. I was reediting today and I reached the end of that and knew that I was finished. I'm free Harry.'
'Until your next book,' he teased, kissing her. 'What do you say we go out to dinner and celebrate?'
'Sounds like a plan. Pick me up in an hour?'
'Will be there with bells on,' he told her and, with a final kiss, she Disapparated. Harry knew he should take a shower, but first he wanted to see what Hermione's book was like. He slid down the wall and sat on the floor and opened up. It was definitely an original- it was written in her handwriting. And the first page was the dedication.
For Harry, who stood behind me whilst I wrote this book and who knew without words what I needed, when I needed it. I love you.
His heart soared. Full of new energy he bounded off into the bathroom. He was not going to risk being late.