Accidental Encounters

Chapter Eight: The Gifts

Hermione woke on the morning of September the 19th with a wide smile on her face. She always knew what day it was when it happened to be her birthday. Sure enough, the second she sat up, a screech owl came soaring through the window, laden with a birthday package. Crookshanks, not yet on civil terms with owls, growled menacingly, but Hermione shushed him and set about finding a treat for the bird. By the time she turned around again, another two owls had deposited parcels.

The first one was a package from Harry, and it was a long, flat one. Inside the animated card was a long, newsy letter filled with tidbits about his training and about Ginny. After reading it, she tore the wrapping from the present and laugh he he had given her a book, of course, but it was a cookbook for advanced cooks. Inside he had written, “Because I know you’ll be at this standard in only a matter of time. Love Harry.”

The second package was from the Weasley family, and included a letter from Molly. The present was a jumper with matching mittens. Finally, the third package was from Ron. This time, his letter was short – only wishing her a “H. B’day”, and giving her mysterious instructions to “Meet me at the 3 B’Sticks at 3.” The present was a very fine eagle-feather quill. All day, she would keep picking up the quill and stroking it, for she had never written with anything so sophisticated. She tried not to dwell on the fact that it had probably cost Ron a significant amount of money.

Wearing her new jumper, and carrying her beautiful quill, Hermione strolled into the Bacon house to be greeted with a warm smile from Elizar, and a piping hot mug of his best coffee. When he finally convinced her to take it into the office, she was surprised to find an envelope on her desk, marked, “With love from Penny and Mr Bacon.” Penny’s little joke. Inside was a gift certificate to Dervish & Banges, and Hermione assured Elizar that she would definitely be able to put it to good use.

The rest of the day passed relatively slowly. It was as though someone knew it was her birthday, because for once there were no call-outs. Even though Hermione was determined not to think about the Hogsmeade attack, more than once she caught herself puzzling how the essence could have been contaminated. Worse, she often played back the scene at the station, torturing herself by searching for ways she could have handled it better.

As it happened, there was nothing to be done for it now. All of the paperwork had been completed and filed, and the Ministry was satisfied that it was in fact an attack. The case had been handed to the Aurors, who were currently investigating how the Essence vials were spiked, and by whom. The Ministry had told her she would remain fully informed of the progress of the investigation, but Hermione knew she was now out of the picture. That didn’t stop her wondering, though…

Quarter-to-three eventually rolled around, and Hermione set off for the Three Broomsticks. She thought it was nice that, after the oddness between them since June, he had suggested they get together for a birthday drink.

He was waiting in one of the back booths when she arrived, he whe waved eagerly to ensure he had her attention. He’d already ordered her a Butterbeer, and the second she sat down, her leant over and gave her a long hug.

“How have you been, Mione?”
“All things told, pretty good. What about you, Master Ron?”
He laughed at this, but couldn’t hide his proud smile.
“I’m loving it. You know, Hermione, I think it is the best thing that happened to me. I feel like I am someone, and I love having something of worth to pass onto these kids. It’s so great.”
“Well, I am really glad you’ve found you’re calling.”
“You can say that again. I was seriously thinking about working at Weasley’s Wizardly Wheezes.”
“Oh, no! Not really?”
“Yep. But I’m pretty glad this has come up instead.”
“I’ll bet!”

It felt so right – just like old times. Hermione didn’t realize how much she had missed their friendship. Harry was a wonderful best friend, but with Ron it was totally different. He was like a brother.

Which was why Hermione was caught so off-guard when Ron coughed and said under his breath, “So, what about us?”
“What about us?” Hermione couldn’t follow him.
“Well, us. You know. ’t y’t you think we’d be great together?”
“We are great together, Ron. I was just thinking how much I’ve missed our friendship.”
“I mean more than friends.”
“More … than friends? Ron, I don’t know…”
“Think about it Mione. We know each other better than anyone else. My life is so much better when I have you in it.”
“Yes, but we don’t want to go wrecking things by doing something silly, do we?”
“Silly? I don’t think so. Listen – I’ve finally figured out what I want my my life. And I’m sick of just waiting for it to fall into my lap. Actually, I’ve learnt that you’ve got to go out and get it. So, I guess – I mean, I am getting it.”
“What?” Hermione didn’t like where this goingoing.
“Well, I guess … I’m asking you to be my girlfriend.”
“Oh. Ummm, Ron. I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“Why not? I promise I’ll be a good boyfriend to you.”
“I know you would, but that isn’t it. I don’t love you in that way. I love you as my best friend, which I hope you’ll always be.”

Ron’s face fell, and Hermione almost regretted what she’d said. It had been true, but there wasn’t an easier way to do this. Ron looked as though he might cry. He managed to hold his features though, and downed his Butterbeer in one quick gulp.

“I’ve gotta get back to school. Have a good Birthday, Hermione.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and headed out the door.

***

“Well, you know, I applaud you for doing what was right,” Penny told Hermione. “It isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but it’s the best in the long run.”
Hermione stopped cutting carrots and looked at Penny. “I know, but I still feel as though I’ve wrecked a great friendship, when I’ve only just gotten it back.”
Penny stirred the potatoes in her pot and shook her head. “No way, Hermione. You’ve told me what a great guy he is. He’ll come around. It’s just that it can be hard for a guy, putting his heart on the line like that and getting rebuffed. Although, I must applaud him for that. Not many guys have that much guts.”
Hermione smiled. “Yeah …. Hey Zinnie, sweetie - if you keep pinching my carrots, we won’t have any left for dinner!” The girl simply giggled and skipped out the kitchen, and Penny winked at Hermione.

Penny had a tradition of making a stew every Sunday evening, because it could usually carry the zoo animals through the next few days. Recently, Hermione had be inv involved in tra tradition, and loved making little alterations to Penny’s basic stew. It usually took them a few hours to concoct a one of a reasonable size, and it was a good opportunity to catch up and chat. More and more Hermione had found herself turning to Penny with the little things she would usually discuss with Ginny. In return, Penny loved having another person of a similar age to keep her sane. She wasn’t back at work yet, but a new house-elf was on the way from a deceased estate in Dover, so it wouldn’t be long.

When they sat down to their stew for dinner, Hermione ended up with Zinnie on her lap. The young girl had become completely taken with Hermione, and had started calling her “Auntie Mione”. The other children fawned over her too, and when Hermione went home in the evenings, she usually ended up feeling desperately alone in her little guesthouse. She knew she had done the right thing to not date Ron, but she often wondered if there was a man out there for her. One who was smart and strong. One who would listen to her crazy ideas and one who would make her feel like a princess. It was a tall order, she knew, but what would it hurt to dream?

***

It was after midnight when something stirred Hermione from her sleep. Once awake though, she thought she must have dreamt it, for the house was silent. A minute later though, she heard her name being called from outside. With a sigh, she sat up and pulled a robe around her. Poking her head out of the window, she could see Elizar in the garden below. He was carrying a lantern, and of course, a glowing red parchment. She would never get used to these late-night call-outs.

As per the red parchment, Hermione apparated to a field outside of Hogsmeade. It was largely bare, and in the light of the full moon the long dry grass gleamed white. There was a dark bulk lying in the middle, though, just where she was told the victim of the latest potions accident would be. She ran towards the bulk, and as she drew closer she could see it was a man. Trying not to puff too much, she knelt down and rolled him onto his back.

She couldn’t help gasping. There, his blue-black eyes glinting in the moonlight, was the body of one Professor Severus Snape.