A/N: Oy vey, I've done it again. 10:00 on a school night with a short-ish chapter to prove for it. I'm sorry! Exams and such are this week. Not to mention I'm still sleep deprived from the New Moon Premiere. Which, I may add, was AWESOME! JACOB BLACK=MAHBETCHLUVRRRR. Take that, Eddiepuss =P Haha. Now back to the story. I'm pretty sure I'll milk the whole summer setting for one more chapter and then switch to Hoggywarts. WOO! I'm pretty excited to switch the setting. There are so much more things to do there. But, for now, enjoy the outcome of my loverly cliffhanger from last chapter.
Disclaimer: HJP=JKR, HJP squared=totally ours xD
Enjoy!
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The Past Is The Past Until Someone Brings It Up
"Granger why are you on the floor?"
I lifted my head up an inch to look into his green eyes. "Did you not hear the crash? I fell, you moron."
He rolled his eyes, "And I here I was thinking about helping you up."
I scoffed. "Yeah well I don't need your help." I gingerly pushed lifted myself from the floor and brushed off some of the dust that accumulated on my jeans. I looked down at the floor and held back a groan. The quills were all amiss around the floor, the yellows mixed with the purples, the self-inking with the old-fashioned, et cetera. This would take ages to re-sort. I backed up a few inches to get a good look at where I should start cleaning up this mess, when my bottom touched something firm yet soft that made me squeak softly in surprise. I turned back around and saw Potter looking at me with an eyebrow cocked.
"What are you still doing here?" I asked, backing away a few inches.
He looked around aimlessly, "This is The Write Expression, isn't it?"
"Could you not read the sign outside? It's called reading phonics."
He glared at me. "That's no way to talk to a customer, is it Fuzzball?"
"A cu-a customer?" I said in disbelief.
He nodded.
"You want to buy something from here?"
He nodded again. "That's usually what one does when they enter a shop. They buy things."
I leaned down and started picking up the yellow quills, putting more distance between me and wonder boy. "Ever heard of window shopping? You just look at the display and leave. Sometimes you don't even have to come in and harass the employees."
"The employ-you work here?" He asked in a high voice.
"Very well spotted. Did you think I was picking up these quills for my own health? After all, I did say I would be with you in a minute." The yellow quills were now all in the correct order on the shelves and I moved on to the green ones.
"Well I… that's beside the point. This is the only stationary shop in Diagon Alley and I am in need of some parchment. Unfortunately, it seems as though you're the only occupant of this shop at the moment-" I turned around and glared at him before putting another quill in its correct holding vase. "So I'll just have to bear your presence for however long it takes to get what I need."
"Well I'm afraid what you need is not in stock at the moment." I said shortly. "We had a bit of an erm… shipping error. My boss is out fixing it as we speak. But I don't think that she'll be back anytime soon, so you're out of luck."
There was a slight pause. "No problem, I'll just wait here."
I spun around to face him, sharp quill in hand. "You most certainly will not!"
"Easy there, tiger." He said calmly, looking cross-eyed at the quill I hadn't realized I had pointed in his face. He stuck his pointer finger out and touched the tip of the quill lightly, causing my hand to move south and away from him. "I don't like it either. But I am in need of parchment and have plenty of time to burn."
"I can kick you out, you know." I said smartly. "Close the shop, lock the doors, anything to keep you and your ego out."
He snorted. "What ever happened to `the customer is always right'?"
"It died along with chivalry."
"Oh really?" He asked smoothly. "Then what does that plaque in the corner say."
I turned to where he pointed his finger and gritted my teeth. There, in goldenrod letters, was the motto every store in Diagon Alley lives by. Damnit. "Fine," I said before twisting back. "You win. Stay, but be sure to not get in my way. I don't get paid to babysit."
"Very funny," He said dryly as I finished cleaning up another color of quills.
"I thought so."
I heard his feet move away from me to presumably browse the rest of the shop and silently finished my workload. It became a much easier task without his annoying voice distracting me. But even so, having his mere presence in the same room made me all too aware of my surroundings, so I couldn't associate the silence as particularly peaceful. I heard his every footfall, saw his head peak around the many nooks of the nearby shelves, and if I listened carefully, I could even hear his breathing. But I wasn't. Not at all.
Besides, being this close to him-and this alone-brought back too many repressed memories to even consider thinking about anything but work. Work is good. Easy. I wasn't getting paid to dawdle.
I finished re-stocking the quills faster than I anticipated and looked around for something else to busy myself with. If I appeared to be working, maybe Potter would take a hint and come back later. Maybe even in a time slot where I wasn't working. If only I could be so fortunate. I quickly remembered the dust I had found on my pants from my fall and looked around for a broom. I knew that Sue always kept one behind the counter, which required moving from the sanctuary of high shelves. And here I was thinking my first day back would be boring.
I looked around the corner to check if Potter had set any booby traps. Paranoid you say? Well you don't know how immature this "savior of the Wizarding world" was. Especially around those he chose to deem inferior to him. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I tip-toed towards the counter, making sure to step on the floorboards that didn't squeak. I leaned forward so the majority of my weight was on the balls of my feet. I felt like an elf about to steal a baby from its crib. Well, either that or a 007 agent. To be truthful, I'd pick the second. Much more exciting.
I reached the counter without incident and grabbed the broom from its place on the floor. I let my body relax as I straightened out, glad that I had made it scratch-free so to speak.
"Training to be a spy?"
Moment ruined.
"I thought you left."
"Liar."
"So?"
I brushed past him and began sweeping up the stray dust on the floor. The broom was charmed so that its dustpan trailed by me like a magnet. The sound of plastic against hard wood followed me as I made tiny circles around the floor. These were the moments I felt like Cinderella. How keen. Now all I needed was a dashing prince to sweep me off my feet. This is why I hated most princess stories. They were far too unrealistic. Prince Charming doesn't exist in the real world. The only thing the tall tales got right were magic and how dim-witted most girls were when it came to the opposite sex. Oh I simply must meet the prince-pathetic.
"I'm bored."
I rolled my eyes, but didn't turn to face him. "Then leave. No one's making you stay. Go next door to your precious Quidditch store."
"But I need parchment."
"And I need a pepper-up potion" I mumbled. "Come back when school starts like everyone else."
"But I can't be-look, Granger. I need the parchment. It's the only reason I came here."
"And here I was thinking you enjoyed my company."
"Oh yes." He drawled. "You're exactly my cup of tea."
I turned around to see him leaning against the front counter in what he must have thought was a sultry manor. In my opinion, it made him look like he was trying to prevent himself from falling on his face, which I so desperately wanted to make happen. I placed a hand over my heart. "I'm touched."
He smirked, "You should be. I think I should count this as my charity of the day-helping the hag."
"Oh very clever wonderboy." I said slyly as I continued to sweep the floor. "Now why don't you run along and help some elderly woman cross the street."
"You really want to get rid of me, don't you?"
"YES!" I yelled in exasperation. "For the love of Merlin, please leave."
"Well if you insist." He made his way to the door and my chest began to unclench. Finally! He stopped listening to his own voice and was actually being courteous. Somebody pinch me. His hand seemed to slow as it gripped the handle to push the door open. "You know…" He said slowly. "This would make your life a lot easier, right?"
"Immensely." I replied quickly.
I could hear the smile in his voice. "Well then there is only one solution."
"Potter, I'm warning you."
"I think I'll stay."
"Urg!" I moved forward, causing him to back up against the door. It was more of a reflex than anything, so don't start getting any ideas about anger management problems or, Merlin forbid, kinks.
"Well, well, well, look who's turning out to be quite the little minx. Who knew you had it in you, Granger?"
I poked him hard in the chest, "Now you listen to me, Potter. For six years I have put up with your crap. I'm done. Just leave."
His jaw set. "Just because you don't have any friends to give you Midol, doesn't mean you have to direct your mood swings at me."
I narrowed my eyes at him as we stood there. To fill you in, this is how most of our arguments went. We'd banter, we'd scream, we'd insult, and then we'd stare. It was like a high school production of a Tony-winning musical-it started out fine, but ended in disaster. Take now for instance. I'd skipped my usual physical abuse and went straight for the staring contest. I guess it's just an off day. Summer can do that to a person, I guess.
We both heard the sound of someone clearing their throat and froze mid-glare. Simultaneously, the two of us angled to look over at the noise and saw Sue standing there with a raised brow and crossed arms. "Sorry to interrupt this…"
"Nothing!" we both said in unison. Maybe it was his breath on my neck that gave it away, but right after we both spoke up, we jumped apart. I didn't even realize how close we were. I guess hatred-filled rage can do that to a person.
I found my voice and tried to explain. "Nothing's going on, Sue. We were just… erm…"
"I was just asking if you had any parchment."
I looked back at Potter in surprise, but he kept his eyes glued on Sue.
"Oh!" She said brightly. She turned around for a split second and pulled out a box from behind her. "We just got some new packs in. I would've been here sooner but we had a little mishap with the delivery guys."
She and Harry moved towards the front counter to sort through the new order of parchment and I was left standing by the door. That was weird. Potter, defending me… kind of. Oh, who am I kidding? The bloke just wants his parchment. He's only doing what he needs to get what he wants, as always. I'd better escape while I could.
I grabbed the broom from the floor and went to the rear of the shop, heading back to work. I tuned everything out, something I apparently lost the ability to do for the past ten or so minutes, and went back to work.
It didn't take long for Potter to leave after he got what he came in for. Maybe five minutes tops. I knew the instant the cash register rang that I could finally be at ease. I slumped against the broom and let out a large amount of air. Knowing full well that I was going to be interrogated in ten seconds, I needed to soak up this feeling for all it was worth.
"HERMIONE!"
Time's up.
"Coming, Sue."
I dragged the broom behind me as I made my way to the front of the store. Sue was setting the box back down on the floor and I had to resist the urge to sprint out the door. I didn't mind talking to Sue about my life-far from it!-but Potter was the only acceptation. Last time I talked about him to her, I had made her promise never to bring up the subject again. Or else. Well, now it seemed like that threat had worn out. Sue wasn't stupid. She knew what Harry Potter looked like and how much I detested him.
She turned back around to face me and I bit my lip. Here we go.
"Just what was Harry Potter doing in my shop?"
"Erm… buying parchment?" I said, fiddling with my fingers.
She sighed. "Let me rephrase that. What were you doing with Harry Potter in my shop?"
"Nothing!" I defended.
"It didn't look like nothing to me. I thought you hated him?"
"I do!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Then what were you doing pinning him up against the front door?"
"Making a point. What did you think I was doing?"
She coughed and shot a suggestive look my way.
"WHAT?! NO!" I exploded. "Me snogging Potter?! That's-that's disgusting! Horrible! Ohhh I think I'm going to puke." Put a hand over my stomach to make my point.
She put her hands up, "Fine, fine, I surrender."
"Thank you."
I went back behind the counter to put the broom away. Her voice sounded while I was emptying the dustpan in the wastebasket. "Well he is kind of cute you know…"
I dropped the pan and turned to look at her with a face shaded red. "SUE!"
"Sorry, sorry!" She said when she got a good look at my face. Or heard my tone. Well, whichever one it was, it made her apologize and that was all that mattered.
"I've told you before not to patronize me when it comes to him. He's the reason I'm like this!"
"Like what, Hermione?"
"Like… like a hag."
"A hag?"
I nodded slowly.
"Hermione, you're not a hag. You're a bright young witch with an expansive future just waiting for you to-"
"Yeah I know." I interrupted her. "But I could be all that and more if it wasn't for him." The troll lowered its giant club down to the sink next to mind, causing a pipe to spit and spray water all over my face. The two small boys lunged for the beast and it's overly large feet moved out of my vision. I crawled to another place of shelter and dug around for my wand. Nothing. I had left it in the common room. My life was now in the hands of two eleven-year-old males who hated my guts. Merlin help me.
"It doesn't do well to dwell in the past, dear."
Sue's voice and comforting hand on my shoulder shook me out of my escaped flashback and I smiled gratefully at her. It had been a while since that scene had escaped the confines of my mind. Maybe seeing Potter outside of school wasn't good for my health. That'd be wonderful! An excuse not to see him other than my own piteous reasons.
"Let's just drop it, okay? I don't want to relive any more of my past."
She nodded and removed her arm. "Alright. Now since we're past that-someone needs help me put away this new shipment of parchment."
I grinned. "It would be my pleasure."
~*~
The drive home was very serene compared to the rest of the day. Other than the Potter-interlude, we had a total of three customers. Yup, three. One might wonder why the shop hasn't been foreclosed yet. Well, as I said before, we get most of our business during the back-to-school season. Since we're the only store in town that sells parchment and such, we get more than enough profit during that time of the year to last us the seasons. We also receive a fair crowd during the winter holidays as well. Not that I'm around for that part of the year, unfortunately. I'm studying away at school like a good girl.
My house was empty when I got home. Again.
I went upstairs and changed before heading down and making dinner. When I'm home, I like to be comfy. And to me comfy equals sweats. I even wear them during the hottest days of the summer. That's probably due to the fact that my dad likes to keep the house at a freezing temperature throughout the four seasons. He yells at me whenever I try to change it, so I've coped by buying around ten different pairs of sweatpants, shirts, and fuzzy socks. Ahh, home.
I opened the freezer and dug out a pack of cheese and potato filled pirogues. I placed them on the counter and proceeded to heat up the skillet on the stove. As I was reaching for the garlic salt, I heard a tapping noise beside me. I turned towards the window where the noise was coming from and saw Hedwig hovering just outside. I grinned and opened the latch to let her in, being careful not to steer her too close to the heated skillet. She dropped a rolled up piece of parchment onto one of the counters and perched atop the island.
Before even thinking about opening the letter (which is a harder thing that you may thing, I assure you), I went over to the fridge and grabbed a raw mini carrot for Hedwig to nibble on. I hadn't had time to pick up treats for her when I left work, so I promised myself I would pick them up tomorrow. I fed the vegetable to her and she gobbled it up slowly.
I went back to the skillet and placed a few pirogues on top to cook. They remained unchanged as I went back over to the counter and picked up the letter. He doesn't waste any time telling me about his day, does he? It was kind of sweet in a way.
Dear Anonymous,
You wanted to hear about my day so here it goes. Dismal. I thought some fresh air would do me some good and it did for a while until I ran into one of my not-so-friendly comrades from school. It wasn't too terrible compared to our other head to head shouting matches. I swear that something is seriously wrong in their head. They keep going on about how they-you know what, never mind. I don't want to burden you with my social problems. Besides, it's not that important anyway. It was nice to feel some fresh air for once, so I shouldn't really be complaining. I really hope this summer passes by quick. Have I mentioned that yet?
Sincerely,
Joe Bloggs
The pirogues began to simmer and I quickly moved over to turn them over with a spatula. The bottoms were all a crisp golden brown and I sighed, thankful I didn't burn them. I reached over and grabbed the garlic salt, sprinkling it on top as the other side cooked.
In the time it took for my dinner to finish cooking, I ran upstairs and grabbed the utensils I needed to write a reply. Who cares if it was dinnertime? It wasn't rude unless people were there with you. So as I gingerly ate my hot meal, I scribbled down a reply to his day. Which, in my opinion, didn't seem like a proper way to enjoy a different environment.
Dear Joe Bloggs,
Your day doesn't sound like a good getaway if you ask me. You need to find a quiet place that you know you won't be disturbed in and just relax. Don't worry about people you don't get along with or school. Just lie down or take a swim-anything to ease your mind. When I find my brain becoming too cluttered, I take a walk. It doesn't even matter where I am, I just walk around and somehow find my way back to where I was refreshed and much more at ease. And don't worry about burdening me. The worst thing a person can do to themselves is keep their emotions hidden inside. You wouldn't want to become an emotionless void, now would you? Take it from someone who knows.
Feel better,
Anonymous
It sounded more like a reply to a Dear Shirley column than a letter. But for the week I've been talking to him, he seems to be a much more accepting person than I believed anyone capable of. If he's who I think he is, he'll at least try what I'm suggesting if only for a test run. I know that any advice he is willing to give me will help, so why not the same vice versa? We get each other.
Merlin's beard. I think I've just developed an emotional dependency on a member of the opposite sex. And you know the worst part? It doesn't feel weird. Not yet, anyway. There's always the possibility this could turn out to be the worst decision I have ever made. Score one for me.
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