Just Around the Riverbend

Wow! This story was recieved better than I thought! Yes! Okay, I won't respong to individual reviews this chapter, because mainly they were all just positive 'I love it, continue' reviews. And I love those, but they're hard to respond to.

Thank you all for your kind reviews, and I hope to see your names again after this chappie goes up! And now, we introduce our curly-headed heroine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione Granger was not easily upset. It was just part of her nature. By nature she was quite calm even under the most stressful of circumstances. Indeed it was quite the feat to make her lose her cool completely.
Congratulations, Ronald, you just succeeded.

Hermione and Ron had been dating on and off for quite some time. When the War had ended, it felt only right that those two should be together. And for the first few months, it was wonderful. Ron was so attentive and considerate. But that didn’t last long.

He quickly became selfish. Everything suddenly revolved around him. When would she cook for him? When would his laundry be done? When would she let him bugger her? And with their argument on that last topic, she found herself inexplicably angry.

Hermione Granger had always fought for the underdog. It was just her way. If she felt that someone, or something, was being mistreated and she felt like she could help…she would. She would help whether that person or creature wanted her help or not. And very suddenly she found herself angry with the injustice Ron was causing her.

He didn’t want a girlfriend. He didn’t want a wife. He wanted another Molly Weasley. He wanted a round-hipped cum dumpster that would pop him out loads of children with nary a whimper and then on top of raising what would most likely be the ugliest children in the magical realm (Come now….curly, bushy red hair? Please! No parent should fool around with genetics like that…) that woman would cook, clean and fall to her knees to be buggered and suck his cock any time he wanted. Oh hell no. Hell to the mother fucking no. She would not put up with that. And she told him so.

She told him loudly, and in front of his mother. Needless to say she wasn’t in Molly’s good graces anymore. But strangely enough, she found she didn’t mind that much.

She was at present walking down Diagon Alley, alight with the final rainbow of sunset, thinking about her new-found freedom. She was free to do what she wanted, when she wanted, and she didn’t have to tell a damn person if she did it. With that attitude in mind she promptly went to the bookstore, intent on buying herself a new book to curl up with.

The smell of paper and dust greeted her, and she felt like she was home. This was where she belonged. She belonged amongst the books and knowledge.

She had just settled herself into a new section when she heard a very familiar giggle. She turned around to see none other than Draco Malfoy being accosted by Pansy Parkinson. She’d heard lots about Draco’s…..adventures, and she was quite surprised. Rumor had it he had slept with nearly every girl that he had graduated with (there were some rumors that he had even gone through a few that had already been married at the time) and was now back to square one with Pansy.

She didn’t like either of them. Hell…she could barely stand the Malfoy family in general. They had wormed their way out of a fair sentence in Azkaban by flaunting their purses and making promises that they’d probably never keep. Bastards.

Her eyes were soon drawn back to the books, and she sighed softly when she saw a brand-new title. She reached out and touched the book, tracing the spine before lovingly pulling the sacred book from its shelf. She opened to the first page to browse the content.

“Well, well. As I live and breathe. It’s the mudblood.”

Hermione twitched, and then turned around to see Pansy with a huge grin on her pug-face as she held tightly to Draco’s arm. Hermione really didn’t feel like dealing with this.

“Um….who are you again? I don’t seem to recall seeing you at Graduation….” Hermione said, faking an innocent look. Pansy’s face colored heavily. Pansy hadn’t been at Graduation because she’d failed her last year sucking up to the Carrows and Headmaster Snape, thinking their status would coast her through her last year. When everything was said and done, she had to repeat her last year to become a full witch.

Draco snorted softly at Hermione’s comment.

“Now, now, Granger. Were you born in a barn? No wait, you were born in the Muggle world. …..Same difference.” He said lightly. Hermione’s face colored this time.

“I haven’t time for you or your pug, Malfoy. So step off.” She said, her words laced with venom.

“I hear they’re having a sale at Thrifty Robes, Granger. Why don’t you go get some robes to match the Weasleys?” Pansy asked.

“I wouldn’t want to shop at the same place your mum does, Parkinson. I might look like a cheap whore.” Hermione said. Draco and Pansy both looked shocked that goody-goody Granger would say something like that. But Pansy recovered quickly, and drew her wand.

“You’ll regret that, you miserable Mudblood.” She hissed. Hermione’s wand was out in a flash, and before Pansy had the time to mutter a spell, Hermione had put her on her arse.

“Don’t let your mouth write a check your wand can’t cash, Parkinson.” Hermione said. She put her book back on the shelf, and stalked angrily from the store. Draco’s cool grey eyes followed her.

Granger sure had changed since the last time he saw her…

~~

Hermione went right home, intent on taking a hot bath and then a nap. But when she opened the door to her flat, she was treated to the sight of Harry Potter lounging on her couch watching television, and eating her chocolate ice cream. Could this day get any more aggravating?

“Harry?” she asked sweetly. “What the bloody hell are you doing at my house?” she finished, her voice still soft.
Harry looked up, and she could see that he still looked upset.

“I got into a fight with Ginny. It’s over.” He said softly, setting aside the ice cream. Hermione’s face softened, and she sat down beside him.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Harry. Is there anything I can do?” she asked.

“I need….I can’t stand to be around Grimmauld Place right now. Is it all right if I crash here a few days? I promise I won’t be a burden…” he said. Hermione reached over and attempted to smooth Harry’s messy hair in a rather motherly way.

“Of course, Harry. You can stay here as long as you need.” She said. He gave her one of his famous lopsided grins, and she leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “As long as you cook breakfast.” She added. He laughed genuinely, and she gave a small chuckle.

“Yes ma’am.” He said.

Hermione and Harry had a rather nice little dinner together, and they talked about unimportant things. Hermione kindly stayed away from the topic of his separation from Ginny, but eagerly talked when he asked her about her new job.

“Oh, it’s great! I get to catalogue Ministry files into a more Modern and easy-to-use format!” she said, her eyes lighting up.

“Only you would get excited over musty old parchment.” Harry teased.

“There’s so much history in those parchments.” Hermione said softly. Harry chuckled, and shook his head.

“Whatever floats your boat, Captain. Do you like all of the people there?”

“They’re okay, I guess.” Hermione said, her expression darkening just a little. “I don’t think they like me. I’m the first muggleborn female to be employed there. I had a double strike against me from the start. But I’m sure they’ll like me in a little while. They just need to get to know me.” She said, sounding as if she were trying to convince herself. Harry gave her a cheeky smile.

“Well that’s not how you impress anyone at all!” he teased. He ducked when she threw a roll at him.

“Arse.” She grumbled, trying to fight a grin.

“I don’t know about you….but I’m stuffed.” Harry said, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his full belly. He’d give his curly-headed friend one thing: she could cook….

“I’m going to bed.” Hermione said softly, and stood from her place, stretching languidly. Harry took a moment to admire his friend’s beauty. He’d never had an interest in her sexually…she was too much like a sister….but even he would admit she had grown up a lot in the two years since the Final Battle. She had filled out in all the right places. Sure she was rather short when it came to height, but she was well-proportioned.

“’Night, Mione. And thanks again for letting me stay over. There was just a lot of memories at Grimmauld.” He said. Hermione went over to where Harry still sat, and wrapped her arms around his neck warmly.

“It’s my pleasure, Harry. Because I know you’d do the same for me. Now….I’m going to bed. You’re welcome to stay up as long as you want….but if you wake me, I’ll use your guts for garters.” She said sweetly, and kissed the top of his head. Harry blinked.

“Uh….kay.” he said. She patted his head gingerly, and then left the room, heading straight for her bedroom.

After a quick shower, she slipped into some soft pajamas, and snuggled into her soft mattress and downy covers. Because of her small stature she got cold often. So she had several large blankets on her bed during the winter, and more than the average person even in the summer.

She laid awake, though, for quite a while thinking about her job. She enjoyed what she did. It had taken her forever to get the job, because she was the first muggleborn female. There had been muggleborn males in that position, and there had been Pureblood females….but never a muggleborn female. She was an oddity in her department, and most of them went out of their way to ignore her. But it was fine, because the nature of her job was rather solitary.

Perhaps she would find a better job later. But for now she was content with her little nook in life. She was well-paid, and she had a good flat. Despite her recent tiff with Ron she still had a few good friends.

Yes…Hermione Granger was doing well for herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Right now you are, Hemrione, but what about in a few chapters? Where will you be then? i think I know....

Now you've read the chapter, now rate/review. Better yet....do both.