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When One's Fancy Turns to Another
Chapter 1--Reacquainting One Another
A/N: suppose I have been reading too much Jane Austen lately. I was inspired to write this fic while reading Mansfield Park. Its fluffy, and not mean to be much more. I started this pre-OotP, I think I have modified it since reading the book, but there may be some things that don't quite fit..
It was a small flat, two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living-room, and a kitchen. Hermione examined every inch of the living space. She inspected the grimy hardwood floor and the dusty window hangings. Dirty and small as it was, the small flat was not with out charm. The small bedroom that she had decided would be hers was quite charming.
Yes, all the flat needed was a little cleaning, remodeling, and maybe a window seat in her own bedroom and it would be very quaint. Just a little swish of the wand here and a well muttered
spell there, and the flat would be very near to perfect.
Hermione sighed as she examined the kitchen cupboard. She would be sharing this flat with Harry. Of course she had just as good as lived with her best friend for the past two years. They had both been in France and lived very near each other. While Harry wasn't away at his advanced defense against dark arts class or Hermione wasn't attending a lesson in charm breaking, they were usually together at either one's place.
When they had both decided to move back to Britain, Harry had declared at once that they must live together. Hermione at the time had agreed whole heartily, but a recent conversation with her mother had left Hermione in doubt.
'How could my mother actually think that I could have feelings for Harry!' thought Hermione to herself. 'He's my best friend, practically my brother, well maybe not my brother, but he is my best friend, that's all.'
Even as she said this to herself, she could help but feel apprehensive of her new living situation... Of course she was just being silly. She had known Harry over half her life. Living with him wouldn't be a problem, would it?
Hermione was interrupted from her inner thinking as she heard a faint pop behind her. She turned to find that Harry had just apparated into the room. He smoothed out his black shirt that he wore with jeans and looked up to smile at Hermione. Harry hadn't changed much from his days at Hogwarts. Hermione knew of course he had grown taller as he now stood at a steady six foot. And she supposed he was a bit more muscular from his training for being an Auror. But he was still skinny and pale and his hair was still as messy as ever. He also still had the greenest eyes Hermione had ever seen.
"So what do you think of the place? I know it's not much, but can't beat the location, right?" said Harry.
"There's no place better than right off of Diagon Alley. I'll agree with you there, but this place needs a lot of work. I hope you have the whole day free."
"Of course, but first I have something for you," said Harry as he took a small package from one of his pockets and his wand from the other. Harry waved his wand over the package and the package grew until it was hovering in front of Harry in a long slender shape. Harry used his wand
to send it over to Hermione who caught it.
Hermione cocked her head and gave Harry an odd look. She was pretty sure of what was in the package. But why in the world would Harry give her something like that. Hermione ripped open the pack age to find a shinny new broomstick.
"Harry, I hope this is for cleaning. You know I don't fly and I hate heights.."
"Hermione, we are in Britain now. You know how tight security is here now. Voldemort may be
gone, but some of his supporter's still lurk about. There are several places you can't apart too anymore. How do you expect to get around if you can't fly?"
"I do have a driver's license you know," replied Hermione matter of factly.
"Yes, I know. I've seen you drive. I think for the sake of your own safety and everyone else's, you better learn how to fly.
"Very funny," said Hermione as she playfully hit Harry in the arm. "Just how am I am going to learn how to fly?"
"Well I don't start the last Auror trials for a while now and you still have one class to go before you can start working in research for charm breaking, so we should have plenty of free time for a while," said Harry as he took Hermione's broomstick out of her hands to examine it.
"I suppose I could learn how to fly. I just hope you don't have any plans for me to start playing Quidditch."
"You never know. You usually learn things pretty fast. Before long you may be flying circles around me. Besides, Viktor Krum came to see you an awful lot while we were in France. Didn't he teach you anything about being a Seeker or did you find a new way to play at finding the snitch?"
"That's enough, Potter. You know Vicktor and I are just friends. One more statement like that and I won't let you teach me how to fly," said Hermione as she took her broomstick back from Harry.
"What are you gong to do? Have Vicky to teach you? Friends or whatever you call each other, I don't think he would mind spending some extra time with you."
"That's it, I'll just teach myself. I'm sure I can find a book somewhere."
"I'll stop, seriously. I would hate to miss an opportunity to teach the great Hermione Granger anything."
"All right, I'll let you teach me, but it will have to wait for later. We have to get this flat in top shape by tonight."
"Why so soon? You have a date tonight or something? Wouldn't happen to be anyone I know would it? Perhaps a dark haired, duck-footed professional Quidditch player?"
"Harry!"
"All right, I promise this time, really. So do you have a date tonight?" asked Harry.
"Harry I didn't date the whole time we were in France and that was two years.. I've been here for half a day. I'm not a guy magnet you know," said Hermione as she put her new broom back in its box.
"You know I hate it when you get like this. I'll have you know I had several blokes ask me to set them up on a date with you."
"Really? Why didn't you!"
"I suppose my standards for you are too high," said Harry with a slight smile. "Besides what would you have done if I would have tried to put you on a blind date? I may almost be a fully trained Auror but I know there are some things you just don't take on and one of them is a fully irritated Hermione Granger."
Hermione once again playfully punched Harry in the arm.
"You're about to talk yourself out of a flat mate, Potter."
Harry chuckled a little and then asked, "So what is happening tonight?"
"Well, Susan and Neville are coming over," answered Hermione as Harry made a face. "Don't look like that. Susan is one of my best friends now and we haven't seen Neville in ages. I invited them to dinner tonight so we need to get this place respectable."
Susan Bones had been in France the last year Hermione was there to study Herbology. Hermione and Susan had met one day and started talking. It wasn't long before Hermione had become quite close to Susan. Susan had been dating Neville Longbottom since the end of their last year at Hogwarts. Seeing how the relation had lasted this long, Hermione figured it wouldn't be long before they were at least engaged.
"Its not that I don't like them, Hermione. I've just had an owl from someone I think you would be most interested to here from," said Harry as he pulled a letter out of his pocket.
"Well, who is it?" asked Hermione as she made a grab for the letter.
Harry held it out of her grasps and shook his head. He then pulled it back in front of his face and began to read:
Harry,
Long time no see, Mate. I'm glad to know you and Hermione have come back home. It seems like ages since I've seen either one of you. Since its August and the Quidditch season doesn't start again until mid-November, I was thinking we could spend some time together. I miss you both terribly. I'm staying at the Burrow and so is Ginny as she has just completed her internship at the Daily Prophet. Let me know as soon as he gets home so you both can come over for a visit. It would be great to see you here again. Mom and Dad are currently visiting Charlie in Romania, but I know as soon as they get back they would love to see you both as well. Hope to see you soon.
Ron.
Harry looked up from the letter and smiled at Hermione who was beaming back.
"I would love to see Ron! And Ginny! Oh, Harry I'm so sorry about inviting Susan and Neville over tonight. I should have thought that of course Ron would be in touch. You want to go to the Burrow don't you? I suppose I could cancel dinner with Susan and Neville. How rude on such short notice but I long to see Ron!" said Hermione very quickly.
"Hermione, calm down. It's okay. Why don't we just invite Ginny and Ron over here and we can have a little dinner party. I think Ron and Ginny would like to see Neville and Susan as well, don't you?"
"Harry, this place is awful small, but it does sound nice. Oh, we've got loads to do. You better bring Hedwig up and send a letter to Ron as soon as possible and I'll floo Susan right away. Harry, this is a wonderful idea!" said Hermione as she quickly exited the kitchen.
Harry smiled after her shaking his head as he left the apartment to send a letter to his other best friend.
Susan didn't mind in the least. She seemed very exited at the prospect of seeing the youngest Weasley siblings and she was sure Neville wouldn't object in the slightest. Around three while Hermione was cleaning the bathroom, Ron flooed Harry to state Ginny and he would love to see all four of them and was looking very forward to tonight.
At five Hermione and Harry looked around at their now clean and furnished apartment.
"Not too bad, I see Crookshanks has already claimed the arm chair by the window," said Harry as he walked over to rub Hermione's old cat. "I guess after all he's been through over the years, he deserves it."
"Everyone will be here in a couple hours. Not really time to cook a meal. I suppose we can order out somewhere."
"Probably best any way. Neither of us have cooked in ages and I'm afraid we would be a little rusty on our extinguishing spells," said Harry as he laughed.
Hermione opened her mouth to argue but instead shrugged and laughed as well.
"Why don't you go ahead and start getting ready, Hermione. I'll go order us some food."
Hermione nodded and headed off to the bathroom to take a bath. She stayed in longer than she probably should have, but the warm water felt so good after all the hard work she had done. At a quarter to six she got out of the tub and wrapped her hair in a towel and donned her robe.
"Finally, I was beginning to worry that you had drowned in there," said Harry to Hermione as she walked to her bedroom.
Hermione just waved her hand at him as she entered her bedroom to get ready for the night. She sat at her small vanity and unwrapped her towel from her head. She picked up her wand that she had left in her room earlier and performed a drying spell on her hair.
Hermione took a few minutes to examine herself in the mirror. Some things had changed since her younger days at Hogwarts. She was now a little taller at just below 5'6". Her body had filled out a little, though Hermione could still find fault with it. Her eyes seemed to have grown darker as they now were a deep brown. She was pleased with her light clear skin. Of course her hair was still as curly and full as ever.
Hermione played with her hair for a while pulling it up in different directions, trying to find a style she liked. Finally she sighed and pulled it up into a loose bun, letting a few curls fall around her neck and the side of her face. She then performed a few make up charms. Just a little lip, eye, and cheek tinting. Hermione liked to keep things natural. She was who she was, there was no hiding that.
Satisfied with her face and hair, Hermione then went to her closet to pick out some robes to wear. After a little deliberation, she picked out maroon robes that she felt she looked fairly well in. She dressed and then examined herself in a full length mirror that lay in the corner of her bedroom. Her robes weren't exactly the most stylish on the market, but the fit her nicely and Hermione decided that would do well. She then picked up a gold locket on a chain that Harry had given her when they left Hogwarts. Inside was a picture of her, Ron, and Harry. She fastened it around her neck and then left her bedroom to see if Harry was ready yet.
Harry was in the kitchen as he was setting the chicken and vegetables he had ordered out on platters. He looked up as he heard Hermione enter the kitchen and smiled when he saw her. Harry, who was looking very nice in dark green robes, walked over to her and took her by the hands.
"You look nice tonight," said Harry as he let go of one of Hermione's hands and picked up the
locket she wore. "I can't believe I gave you this. Surely I could have done better."
Hermione put her hand on the locket so they were both holding it.
"How can you say that? I love this locket," said Hermione as she clicked the clasps to open the locket. "Besides as with most things, it's what's inside that counts."
Harry smiled as he stared at the small moving picture in the locket. Hermione was in the middle as both Ron and Harry had their arms around her. They all three looked extremely young and happy.
"Hard to believe this was just two years ago. So much has changed since then," said Harry as his eyes left the locket and traveled up to look Hermione in the eyes. "I'm glad I still have you."
Hermione just stared into Harry's deep green eyes and he stared back. Hermione felt something stir inside of her, but she wasn't sure what it was. A new feeling was creeping up on her and she didn't want it to leave. All she wanted to do was to stand there staring up into Harry's eyes.
Suddenly a loud knock sounded on the door. Harry and Hermione both blinked and realized the
were both still holding the locket and each other's hands. They quickly dropped both and Harry rushed over to get the door.
Hermione brought her hand to her chest as she realized her heart was beating very fast. She then felt her face and realized she must have been flushed. What was going on with her? It was only Harry. She thought she must have been just worn out from the journey and cleaning the apartment. But still Harry had been so close to her and his eyes were so green. Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by Susan's voice.
"Hermione, you look wonderful!"
"Oh, oh, er, thank you. You look very pretty yourself," said Hermione as her senses came back to her. It was true, Susan had become quite a beauty. Her hair was now a nice auburn color and framed her pretty slender face. She was a nice height at 5'9" and over all had a very nice figure.
Neville walked in the kitchen. Hermione smiled as he came over to her. He had changed from the clumsy, chubby boy Hermione had guided through Hogwarts. While still a little chubby he was now taller and had developed some muscles. He had a handsome face and dark eyes. Hermione thought Susan and he made a handsome couple.
"Neville, it is so good to see you! I'd ask how you are doing, but I already know. Of course I always knew you would excel in Herbology. Where have you been studying? China?"
"Yes, I was there for a year, but I'm done studying now and I think I am going to open up my own nursery."
"That sounds lovely! Please go on into the living room and make yourselves comfortable. It's not much, but I guess now its home," said Hermione guiding Susan and Neville to the couch.
Susan took time to look around the small flat and proclaimed it very charming. The four friends made idle chit chat while they waiting for their fifth and sixth companions to join them. When Hermione went to use the bathroom and Harry was busy in the kitchen a knock at the door came. Neville went to get it and greeted Ron and Ginny and showed them into the living-room. Just as they entered Harry came out from the kitchen and Hermione came out from the bathroom.
Hermione had kept in touch with Ginny and Ron through letters, but she hadn't seen Ron in a year and Ginny in more time than that. She wasn't prepared for what she saw when Ron and Ginny entered the room, and from the look of Harry, he wasn't either.
Hermione's eye first rested on Ron. He seemed to have grown even taller since she had last seen him. He had let his hair grow out to just above his shoulders and the looks suited him well. He had on black robes that showed just how kind Quidditch training had been to his body. Hermione felt herself flush a bit as she noticed just how handsome Ron had become.
Hermione then tore her eyes away from Ron and rested them on Ginny. Suddenly, Hermione became very aware of just how out of fashion and plain her robes were. She realized how awful and bushy her hair must look, and just how plain she really was. Ginny was a vision, a bright red headed goddess in light blue robes. Her long beautiful hair rested in curls past her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes were framed in perfect light makeup and her full lips were the perfect color of pink.
Hermione shook her hair slightly and looked around the room. Harry seemed to be in a state of shock as he stared at Ginny. Hermione felt a pang in her body that she did not understand. She, instead of exploring this feeling, looked at Neville and Susan. Neville was smiling politely from his where he stood next to where Susan was sitting. Susan like Harry looked almost in a state of shock as she stared slightly opened mouthed at Ron. Hermione couldn't really blame her, Ron was definitely worth staring at. Finally Ron broke the silence.
"So did we shock you this much, or have you all just become boring people?"
Everyone giggled slightly and Harry finally seemed to come back to earth. He walked over to Ron and embraced him like his brother, as they almost were. Harry then turned to Ginny, who took Harry's hand and kissed his cheek. Hermione thought Harry blushed slightly but she couldn't tell.
Ron then walked up to Hermione and they stood face to face. Hermione try to keep herself from coloring but afraid she was failing terrible. Finally she said to herself, 'What are you doing? This is Ron. He's your best friend! You almost died next to him. He's still Ron Weasley, the red haired, gangly boy you met on the train!'
Hermione finally smiled a huge smile and flung her arms around Ron's neck like she had done so many times as a young girl growing up. Ron wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "I've missed you Hermione."
"Me too Ron, me too," said Hermione as she let go of him and realized there were a few tears on her cheeks.
Ron reached up to wipe them off as he said, "Still barking mad."
Ginny then walked over and embraced Hermione as well. Everyone seemed to be more at ease as the night wore on. Dinner was very enjoyable as everyone ate and chatted away about life. It almost seemed to Hermione that Ron and Susan were spending an awful lot of time chatting amongst themselves. In fact it almost seemed like flirting. Hermione just dismissed it as friendliness. After all the two did date briefly in the beginning of their last year. They were probably just remembering old times.
After dinner the group sat in the living-room talking. Hermione sat in the arm chair and Crookshanks quickly jumped up in her lap. She sat back and observed the scene before her as she stroked the purring Crookshanks.
Harry and Ginny were sitting in the two chairs close to the hallway that led to the bathroom and bedrooms. They were both leaning in and talking. Hermione listened in for a while, but it was just friendly, usual chatting about what they had been doing with their lives. Hermione instead turned her attention to the three people on the other side of the room.
Ron and Susan were sitting on the couch and Neville was in the rocker next to the couch. Hermione noticed once again that it seemed that Ron and Susan were very attentive to each other. Hermione once again thought she was just imaging things and instead turned her attention to Neville who was talking animatedly.
"…and then Susan and I plan to open up a Nursery. Right, Love?"
Susan seemed to shake herself out of her own little world and turned her face from Ron to Neville's.
"What? Oh, a nursery. Right, yes, dear."
The rest of the evening passed pretty quickly and at midnight everyone decided the party should end. Everyone gathered at the door to say goodnight. Ron and Harry shook hands and Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek once again. Ron and Ginny then hugged Hermione and stepped out the door. Harry smiled at Susan and clapped Neville on the shoulder. Hermione hugged them both and they too exited the apartment.
Harry and Hermione cleaned up dinner in relative silence. They both seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. After the cleaning was done, Hermione said goodnight and went to the bathroom to perform her cleaning rituals. She then went to her bedroom and changed into her night gown.
Just as Hermione was about to get into bed, she heard a knock at the door and Harry peeked his head in.
"Hermione, is it alright if I come in for a minute?"
"Yes, of course, Harry. Is something wrong?" asked Hermione as Harry sat on the bed.
"Actually I was going to ask you the same thing. You were so quiet after dinner. I was worried about you."
This surprised Hermione. She had doubted that Harry even knew she existed while he was talking to Ginny.
"Oh, no Harry, I'm fine. I was just observing everyone and thinking."
"I know, Hermione."
"Know what?" asked Hermione rather shrilly as she felt herself color for some reason.
"They've changed a lot, Ron and Ginny. I noticed it, too, but…," said Harry trailing off as he didn't look like he knew what to say
"But they're still Ron and Ginny," said Hermione as she sat next to Harry and placed a hand on his arm.
"Exactly, but still I guess it takes a little while to get used to it."
"You seemed to be getting along pretty well with Ginny," said Hermione trying to keep her voice steady because it wanted to waiver for some reason.
"Yes, I had no idea she was so easy to talk to. I also had no idea she wanted to be a reporter. Wasn't that surprising?"
"Not really. I've always know Ginny was chatty. Usually it's hard to get her to stop. Surely you remember?"
"Yes, I suppose she did. Of course it was fifth year before I heard her speak more than a couple of sentences because of that silly crush she had on the boy who didn't exist," said Harry as he wrung his hands together. He then looked up at Hermione and smiled. "We've been invited to the Burrow tomorrow. What do you say we go? I bet it will be just like old times."
"The Burrow, tomorrow? Well, I do need to visit my parents sometime soon. And what about Remus? I thought you'd be anxious to see him."
"Remus is in the middle of orientation for new teachers at Hogwarts. You parent' though…hmmm…wouldn't it be better if you waited for the weekend? Come on we'll both go see them this Saturday. I've got a craving for sugar free sponge cake anyway."
Hermione smiled and giggled softly and then said, "Well, I suppose that would be best, but…"
"Come Hermione, it won't be so awkward this time, and Susan and Neville will be there, maybe even Fred and George."
Hermione sighed a little. It would be great to visit the Burrow, but for some reason she was a little apprehensive about it. All she could imagine was Ginny and Harry leaning in and talking closely and Ron and Susan flirting shamelessly in front of Neville, and then Ginny and Harry. She was just being stupid, of course it would be wonderful at the Burrow.
"Of course we'll go, Harry. Why shouldn't it be fun?"
With that Harry kissed Hermione softly on the cheek and left her bedroom. Hermione got in bed and turned off her bedside lamp. For the first time in her life she was not looking forward to visiting The Burrow.