Running Away

Hermione stood on the corner of a very familiar street, glancing periodically at her watch. It was almost three o’clock. Gerard would have showed up at their wedding by now, and found her note saying that she would not be coming. She had left in a hurry, just two hours ago, when she should have been getting her hair done, her dress on. She simply apparated out of her flat and into London. She had left him a short note, all it had said, and all she could think to say was, ‘I’m sorry. I had to see to some unfinished business. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I hope one day you can forgive me.’

She felt like a down right bitch for doing what she did. But ever since her mother had given her that letter from Harry, he was all she could think about. She just had to see him. She didn’t know what she would do if Harry turned her away, to hurt for her never responding, but she knew that she didn’t love Gerard like she should if she was to marry him. She had been blinded by the lie her mother conceived all those years before. She felt like she needed to come here and explain to Harry what had happened, and that if she had gotten his letter she would have come back to him.

Hermione glanced back at the store diagonal from the corner she was on. It was adorned with a huge lion head and two broomsticks, resembling a skull and crossbones. She inwardly chuckled as she could imagine Ron looking down on the shop with a huge smile on his face. The name that the front window was the truest tribute Hermione could ever imagine, ‘Weasley is our King Quidditch Supply.’ Harry had named his store in Ron’s memory. The lionhead a tribute to Luna, who had also been lost early on in the war.

She picked at a string on the hem of her shirt and nervously wondered what the hell she was thinking. She had left France in such a hurry, feeling that this needed to be done, but now she stood looking at the fifty feet that separated her and Harry and wondered if she had abandoned all logic. Still looking at the lion’s head she remembered she was a Gryffindor, she should have courage. She gathered herself and slowly walked across the cobblestone path that separated the shops in Diagon Alley.

She stood at the corner of the shop and peered through the window, searching for a glimpse of him. She looked past a group of children that were staring at the latest broom model that was displayed in the window. Her breath caught as Harry finally emerged from the back room with an arm full of boots.

He looked the same, yet it was very obvious that he had grown into quite a man. His hair was still an unruly mess, and the same length as it had been in their fourth year. He was taller, or seemed to be from where she stood. He was wearing jeans and a nice black collared shirt, with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. Through his shirt she could tell he had filled out quite nicely, as his muscles flexed under the weight of the boots.

She smiled to herself as she noticed his glasses were broken. She was the one who always had fixed them. She wondered how long they had been broken. She noticed the deep emerald of his eyes had not faded and still seemed to captivate her attention. She looked back to the children and smiled at one of them, who looked a lot like Ron. She heard an awful crash and looked back to find Harry staring at her, and the boots in a pile on the floor.

Hermione rushed into the shop as Harry’s eyes followed every step. She went to his side and knelt down to help him pick up the mess she had caused.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to be shocked. I’m sorry I made you drop these.” Hermione gathered the boots in her arms and stood. She looked at Harry and a wisp of her hair fell into her face, and she smiled nervously. Harry subconsciously reached out and tucked the hair behind her ear, like he had so many times. Hermione blushed and Harry realized how natural he had acted and took a step back. “It’s nice to see you too. Um.... do you think you could take these, they are a bit heavy.” This seemed to knock Harry out of his stupor.

“Ya....... Sorry... here.” Harry took the boots from Hermione and walked to the bench next to him and set them down. He turned back to Hermione, who continued to smile at him. He couldn’t believe it, three years with no word and then suddenly she shows up outside of his shop. “What are you doing here, Hermione?” He questioned her with an angry tone and her smile faded.

“Honestly, I don’t know? I had to see you. We have a lot to talk about. Sorry it’s taken this long for me to come back, but I can explain.” Hermione began, but was cut off.

“Would you mind maybe coming back when I’m not working, I’m the only one here today. It’s summer you know, lot’s of recreational leagues and all. Can you back at six, that is when I close up?” Harry tried not to look at her and appear busy.

“Ya, of course. I should have thought of that. I’m sorry. I’ll com back at six, maybe we could grab dinner?” Hermione finally pulled the string out of the hem of her shirt and balled it between her fingers.

“Sure, that would be nice. I’m always starved by then. Oh, and stop saying your sorry. I’ve seen you for two minutes and you’ve said it like five times.” He ended with a smile. Hermione’s heart lifted at the sight of him smiling, like it hadn’t in so long. It saddened Hermione that she was so ready to marry Gerard, when he had never made her feel like that.

“Okay, see you then.” Hermione turned and walked out of the shop. Harry watched her as she walked away and was amazed she could still stir the butterflies in his stomach. He noticed she had filled out in a few key places and had a nice tan. He mainly watched her hips sway in the flouncy skirt she wore. Her hair seemed a little straighter but still held loose curls. And the dark brown of her eyes still mesmerized him.

The three hours that passed until Hermione returned seemed like an eternity for both of them. Hermione had tried to pass the time by browsing the shelves at Flourish and Blotts, staring at book after book. She found that she could not concentrate on the words and knew if she had been there under any other circumstances she would have been much more intrigued by them.

Harry had kept himself busy trying to restock the store but often found himself distracted by thoughts of Hermione. He would find that he was stocking a rack of pants with robes or stocking a case of gloves with goggles. He finally surrendered and took a place behind the counter with the latest issue of Quidditch Illustrated. There was an interesting article on the Chudley Cannons and that made him think about Ron. He wished he was here right now, so he could have someone to freak out to about Hermione’s return.

Six o’clock came and Hermione found herself standing outside of the store once again. She inhaled deeply as she waited for Harry to emerge. She stared down at the down deserted Diagon Alley and thought back to the days when her visits here were the highlight of her summer. The chime of the bell on the door of the shop alerted her to Harry’s presence. Harry emerged from the store, locking with a flick of his wand, and turned to smile at her.

“Always on time. I see not much has changed with my old friend.” Harry chuckled.

“Well, you know me, punctuality was always a priority. I was only ever late if you or Ron caused it.” Hermione laughed loudly as she pictured herself running down the halls of Hogwarts, swearing under her breath, as Ron and Harry followed shortly behind. Harry joined her as he pictured the same thing.

“You know we had to keep you at least a little normal, otherwise you would have been a bookworm, teachers pet.” Harry said with a devilish smile. Hermione swatted his arm playfully and pulled out her wand and pointed it at Harry’s face. “I was only joking, jeez Hermione, no need to pull your wand on me.” Harry raised his arms in defeat.

“Occulus Reparo.” Harry’s glasses repaired themselves in a gold flash. “All of this from a man who can’t even mend his own glasses. Classic.” Hermione chuckled as she tucked her wand away, amused by the terrified look on Harry’s face.

“Funny, real funny, this new found sense of humor is a great addition to the once stuffy Hermione Granger.” Hermione burst into laughter, tears leaking from her eyes she laughed so hard. “I’m glad I can amuse you. Thanks for fixing my glasses, they’ve been broken for months. People keep telling me to buy new ones.” Hermione wiped her eyes and retained her composure.

“Sorry, but your face was priceless. Did you really think I would hurt you? I thought you knew me better than that?”

“I guess you just caught me off guard, and besides, it has been three years since I’ve seen you. I don’t know how much you have changed, besides the obvious.” Harry immediately hated himself for his last comment. Why he let slip he had noticed how gorgeous she had become killed him

“And how have I changed so obviously?” Hermione teased, knowing full well what he meant. Knowing she could easily say the same about him.

“You know, you umm.... grew up.” Harry stuttered nervously.

“Okay, keep your secrets. So... where did you want to go to dinner?” Hermione tried her best to keep the thought of Harry checking out how she had ‘grown’ out of her mind.

“I was thinking this French restaurant I know of not far from here.” Harry waited for Hermione’s reaction, seeing that she was trying very hard to be polite, as she nodded with the fakest smile Harry had ever seen on her face. He couldn’t hold in his laughter. Now Hermione was the one who stood angry and Harry the one doubled over in laughter.

“Ugh, you’re impossible!” Hermione huffed and crossed her arms.

“Hey, payback’s a bitch, what can I say?” Harry continued to chuckle in amusement. “I was actually thinking of this little bistro, it’s Muggle. They have great prime rib.”

“Sounds good. Anything but French, I am sick of it already.” Hermione said, uncrossing her arms and relaxing a bit.

“Shall we?” Harry motioned his arm in the direction of the brick wall that secretly held the exit from Diagon Alley. Hermione nodded her head. They both began the walk to dinner suddenly finding nothing to say to each other.

The ten minute walk to the restaurant was plagued with silence, an all consuming, awkward silence. Harry had turned to Hermione on a few occasions to ask a question or make a comment about her leaving, but she turned and stared at him with those deep brown eyes, he froze and just smiled at her. He hated the weakness she seemed to pull forth from him. He was brave, he defeated the darkest wizard ever, and he was weakened by a simple smile from Hermione. On a few occasions their hands had brushed in their strides and each had pulled away as if they had been burned.

When they entered the bistro the man at the front recognized Harry right away and ushered them to a quiet table in the corner. Hermione wondered how many other girls Harry had brought to this quant little place. She shook the thought from her mind, and reminded herself not to care. Hermione took a seat at the table and was surprised when Harry pushed in her chair for her.

“Why, thank you, Mr. Potter.” Hermione joked.

“I never forget my manners, Ms. Granger. Someone taught me long ago, and I still can feel her pinching my arm when I would forget. Always on my case, she was.” Harry looked to Hermione and found she was blushing.

They sat in silence as they looked over the menu, and when the waiter came, they ordered. Harry had gotten the prime rib and Hermione had gotten some roasted chicken. Harry watched Hermione as she sipped her glass of water. He recalled what it was like to kiss her, how soft her lips had been. He licked his lips hungrily, staring at her lips with malicious intent. Hermione noticed this and choked on her water. She had recognized the look in his eyes and it startled her. She was surprised to see that he still looked at her in that way. Harry realized Hermione had noticed and looked into his lap. Hermione decided it was the perfect time to start any kind of talk.

“So, besides the store what do you with your time?” Hermione tried to take his attention off of what had just happened between them. Harry cleared his throat and looked to her again.

“Not much really. I visit Molly and Arthur as often as I can. I go to Godric’s Hollow to visit my parents graves also. I babysit a lot for Neville and Ginny. Their son is great. He makes me laugh like no one else can. Reminds me a lot of Ron, maybe that is why I enjoy him being around so much. Nothing too major, besides the shop. I gave Grimmauld to Remus, he lives there with Tonks. I bought a smaller house, not far from here, so it’s close to the shop. The shop keeps me pretty busy so there’s not much else I do.” Harry seemed to be content and happy in his low key life.

“Sounds like you are very comfortable, finally found a place to call home. You deserve some time to relax and just enjoy life.” Hermione smiled at him warmly. A small blush rose in her cheeks. “So have you dated much?”

**DUM DUM DUM.... IS HARRY IN A RELATIONSHIP? WAS HERMIONE TOO LATE? I'LL TRY AND POST SOON! DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT!**