Early the next morning Dan heard a clanking sound and a loud "damn it!" coming from the back yard. He rose and peered out the window to see Hermione attempting to pick up a large round metal apparatus that had obviously fallen. He pushed open the window and called down to her, "Hermione- hold up- I'll be down in a minute and I'll help you."
As he made his way down the stairs he could hear her swearing softly. He found her attempting to drag what appeared to be a large metal holder for a garden hose across the yard.
"Hermione! You'll hurt yourself, wait." He levitated it up and asked, "where did you want this?"
"I want to mount it over the spickets on the side of the garage. I don't suppose you would hold it up for me while I mark and drill the screw holes?"
"Sure, no problem." but why may I ask why didn't you levitate it?''
He watched her deftly mark, measure and drill the mounting holes. "It looks like you've done this before."
"Well, you learn to do a lot of things when you don't have a man around to rely on," she replied. ''and I don't always do things the wizarding way as you may have noticed''
"So I'm guessing you couldn't sleep and that's why you're out here so early?"
"I'm sorry if I woke you. I just thought working in the yard would occupy my mind. Ben called at 4 AM to say they had arrived and I couldn't fall back to sleep."
"Well, now that I'm up, is there anything I can help you with?" he asked with a smile.
They worked until early afternoon together; Dan doing some minor repairs on the gutters and then helping Hermione dig a new garden bed. Around 2 PM Hermione looked at her watch. "Well, I've about had it. I think I'm going to take a nap before dinner. Thank you so much for your help. And your company. I probably would have been climbing the walls by now if I didn't have someone to talk to. Thanks."
"Anytime Hermione," he said as he melted under her bright smile.
"OK, well, I'm going to take that nap. I'll see you around 6:30."
=====
Ben called her as she was getting out of the shower.
"Hi Mum, it's me. Still alive and well."
"Hi honey, are you having fun?"
"We're having a great time Mum. We didn't realize it until we got here, but all of the tickets we have are courtside seats. We are right in the action."
"Good, I'm glad you're having fun. Is everything else OK?"
"Yes Mum, no death eaters spotted yet."
"Benedict!…"
"Kidding! Just kidding. Everything is fine. We are going to get something to eat & then watch a game at 8 tonight. Then we'll come right back here. I'll call you then."
"OK, I'm going out to dinner with Aunt Luna and uncle Neville, so if you don't get me at home try the cell."
"Just aunt Luna and uncle Neville''?
"And Dan. So you'll try the cell?"
"I'll try the cell. Have fun Mum."
"You too. I love you. Be careful."
"I love you too Mum. I'll talk to you later."
At 6:30 Dan came and knocked at her door. "Hermione? Mind if I come in?"
"Sure, they should be here any second," she called out.
Stepping into the living room he froze as his eyes fell upon her. "Hermione, you look very- ah- very nice. Really nice." He wanted to say incredibly beautiful but checked himself.
"Thank you," she said blushing. She hadn't felt someone stare at her like he was doing right now in a very long time.
A shuddering gargling noise erupted from the hearth.
"Hello? Hermione?it's Nevilles gran- she's had a funny turn ''……oh my God are you serious- no, no, of course, please tell Neville I'm thinking if him. And be careful up there. Call me as soon as you know something''.
She turned around from the fireplace and looked at Dan. "That was Luna. They just got a call that Neville's gran had a heart attack and is in St Mungo's. They are going there now."
"Oh no, I hope she'll be all right," Dan said, concern etching his face.
"Yes, me too; Mrs. Longbottom is a really nice when you get to know her''. So, ah, they won't be able to make dinner."
"Oh, yes, of course. Well, we're all dressed, we could still go- that is, if you still want too."
"OK," she answered immediately. Wow, this might be the first normal date I've been on in a million years, she thought. Wait- I don't know if he thinks this is a date- well, you know what Hermione Jane? she said to herself. Who cares. Just go and attempt to have a good time.
They arrived at the restaurant and because the size of their party had changed, they had to wait for a smaller table to become available. They were finally seated at a small table near the fireplace.
Hermione looked around admiring the décor. "Wow, Luna was right, this place is beautiful. I remember when this was an old run down building. The current owners bought it for a song and refurbished it to the original Victorian design; I think they even won some design awards for the work."
"Well they did a great job. I liked the gas lights out front."
They ordered the rack of lamb ("I'll hear it from Luna if I don't") and Dan insisted she order a bottle of wine ("you would if Luna were here"). They continued to chat about the building and then branched out into many different topics, falling in and out of conversation easily, both enjoying each other's company. OK, Hermione thought to herself, this is really mean but I'm glad Luna and Neville aren't here. I never would get to talk to him like this if Luna were here playing twenty questions with him all night.
They both ordered espresso after dinner and the conversation turned to Ben.
"So, top box seats huh? Keelan's dad must have good connections," Dan said.
"I think he works for a big corporate firm in New Hampshire so he probably does. I'm glad he's having fun, but I can't help worrying about him." She looked at him and smiled shyly. "You must think I'm the most over-protective neurotic mother in the world."
"Not at all; it couldn't have been easy for you, raising him by yourself. You did a great job, Hermione. He's a great kid." He looked her dead in the eye as he uttered the last statement.
"No, it wasn't easy, but I had Luna & Ginny. Ben and I wouldn't be where we are today if not for her. You could say Ginny was Ben's father figure, I guess. And then Neville came into the picture with Luna when Ben was about seven weeks old and he's been just great to Ben. I'm very blessed to have such wonderful friends."
"Yes, you are. But I'm willing to bet that Ben's demeanor is mostly due to you. He has a lot of your mannerisms." Like that cute thing you do when you chew on your lip, he thought.
"Well, it's always been just us. He's been my world for the past 9 years."
Hermione found herself telling him about their life, something she normally wouldn't do. She was extremely guarded about what she told anyone about Ben, suspicious of anyone who asked more than two questions of her, but for some reason it was so easy to talk to Dan. She told him how proud she was of Ben being a top Quidditch player & yet he was only 9 yrs old ..He was also able to maintain an "A+" average at school. How he had volunteered on his own to work with the Special under achievers at his school. How he had always been the sweetest, most wonderful child who did thoughtful things for her all of the time. And how she feared him leaving her, though she didn't tell him the real reason why. He was due for an early selection for his next school since he was academically aged at 14yrs old, unlike his physical body….
"You're very lucky Hermione. Too bad his father isn't around, I'm sure he'd be proud of Ben."
Hermione froze. "Yes, um, well, it can't be helped, I mean, um, he's not, uh…"
"Hermione, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Why did I say that? he thought. She looks like a deer caught in the headlights right now.
"No, it's OK, I think, uh, I had too much wine, maybe. Do you mind if we go?" She was already standing and collecting her purse.
"Sure, absolutely." Damn it, we were having such a nice time, I could kick myself, Dan admonished himself. He hurried to catch up with her as she was already almost to the door.
The ride home was quiet. Hermione kept telling herself to stop over-reacting and calm down. It was a perfectly innocent- and kind- comment that he had made. As the taxi came to a stop near the river bank she looked at him and smiled. "Would you like to come in for a butterbeer?."
"Oh, yes, that sounds great." Oh thank God, he thought; she isn't completely pissed.
As soon as they were inside the phone rang. "Hey Mum, we're just leaving the game."
"Who won?" Not that she even knew who was playing, but she always showed an interest in anything Ben liked.
"Dukes. They slaughtered the Wasps. It was great. We're going to stop and pick up a pizza to take back to the room with us."
"OK sweetheart, I'm glad you're having fun. Call me in the morning. Be careful. I love you."
"Me too Mum. Talk to you tomorrow."
"Goodnight sweetie," she said as she hung up the phone.
"So who won? Dukes or Wasps? And where do you keep your glasses?" Dan called out to her as he looked at the cabinets.
"Dukes, and in the cabinet above your head. He said they killed them. He's having a great time. If I wasn't so worried about him I'd be glad he is having so much fun."
They adjourned to have their butter beers in the living room. As much as he didn't want to upset her again, Dan felt the need to apologize for his comment before at dinner.
"Hermione? About before, at the restaurant, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you or intrude on your privacy, I…"
"No, no, please don't worry about it," she interrupted. "I over reacted, as usual. I'm sorry that I freaked out like that. It's just that when it comes to Ben I'm hyper about everything- in case you haven't noticed," she added with a grin.
Dan chuckled softly, relieved that she wasn't angry. "I can understand; like I said, I realize it couldn't have been easy for you being a single parent."
"Well, I actually don't know any other way- I mean, his dad was gone before I even knew I was pregnant. And at the risk of sounding boastful, I think I've done a pretty good job; I mean, Ben doesn't seem to be affected by it too much, that is…" she trailed off.
"What?"
"Well, Ben has issues with his dad, I guess you could say." Why was he so easy to talk to?
"But he never met his dad?" Dan said, slightly confused.
"He hasn't- that's one of the problems. He is very angry that his father hasn't been a part of our lives, even though I've tried to explain a million times that's not possible. I guess that's a normal response for a child, but Ben is so sweet and sensitive that I don't expect anger from him. And I know that my actions have not helped the situation any, either."
"What do you mean? He obviously adores you."
Hermione smiled. "And I adore him. I mean that I haven't, uh, moved on, so to speak, in his-or Luna's- eyes."
Remembering what Neville had told him about Hermione not dating he said, "you mean because you never married?"
"Well, I think what really annoys the two of them is that I don't even date much." Her voice softened. "They think I've wasted my life waiting for him to return." Her words trailed off as she began to study the couch cushions intently, suddenly taking note of the small amount of space between his leg and hers.
Dan was staring down at her intently. "Is that what you think?"
The silence that hung in the room was deafening. A hot flash swept through Hermione's body leaving her feverish as she continued to stare down at the couch pillows. What do I think? That answer could fill volumes.
She slowly moved her eyes up to meet his. Her body was trembling and her voice was barely audible as she answered. "Not until now."
Emotions did away with all rational thinking in Dan's mind. She had remained faithful for 10 years to a hope, an idea; and now, when she finally decided to open herself up again, it was to him. To HIM. The same fever that possessed Hermione at the moment took hold of him.
Never removing his eyes from hers he moved his hand up and ever so lightly brushed it across her cheek, moving it back to gently play in her hair. Resting it there he brought his thumb back to play over her cheek. Unconsciously they slowly leaned toward each other until their lips brushed together. Pulling back slightly he looked down at her to see her eyes half closed and staring at his mouth; as he moved into her again they drifted close as she lifted her face.
Their kiss was soft and slow and long. Sighing into his mouth, Hermione ran her hand lightly over the top of his thigh, across his chest and brought it to cup his cheek, providing the spark to ignite them both into deepening the kiss. He brought both his hands to her face and drank from her lips like a man dying of thirst, not able to quench his thirst and need.
It's been so long, she thought, so very, very long; and this felt so good, so very, very good. She slid into his arms and eagerly returned his ardor, being swept up in sensations that had lay dormant for so many years. He tasted so warm, so, so ….. Familiar…..
Suddenly she jumped back and off of the couch and stared at him, adrenaline pulsing through her veins, her eyes huge with fear.
She had a vision.
Who was he?
*Authors note*
I would like to explain a few things…
Hermione is not mad as some have suggested, although she is wary…
Harry & Ron disappeared at the final battle when he went after voldemort..
Leaving a pregnant Hermione unbeknownst to Harry….
Harry had been trapped in another realm leaving Hermione to carry on without Harry & waiting for the day he would
return to her and the family he never knew he had…..