Accidental Encounters

Disclaimer:

me me now, J.K. Rowling rules supreme
I just take her ideas and dream
No harm is intended, no money I make
Its just a little fun, for goodness’ sake!

Chapter One: A Week of In Between

Weak sunlight was streaming through the window at an odd angle, and it cast eerie shadows about the room. Hermione had just opened her eyes, and was struggling to remember where she was, when a soft grunt from the bed above reminded her in an instant. She was at the Burrow, with Ginny in the next bed, her best friends from school, Harry and Ron, in the next room, and no doubt one of Molly’s fine breakfasts waiting downstairs.

Hermione blinked furiously, forcing herself to come awake. They had precisely one week to live life to the fullest, before the “real world” claimed them forever. Graduation had been yesterday, June 24, and it had been a day Hermione would never forget. Everything she had worked so hard for, for so long, had come together for one glorious walk across the stage. She had shaken Professor Dumbledore’s hand, hoping that he didn’t notice how hers were trembling, accepted her scroll and, with a final beam at the field of cameras, walked off the other side. She’d been back up, of course, to accept numerous awards for academic and magical excellence, including one where Professor Snape had grudgingly shaken her hand and handed her the certificate. Certainly no kind words of congratulation there. Still, it had been a tremendous day, followed by a party that filled the entire castle and went on into the morning.

Hermione looked down to the foot of her camp bed to where her robes lay in heap on the floor. Her precious certificates and mortarboard were on a nearby chair. She found it hard to believe that it was already all over. And soon her school days would be far behind her, because in a few short days she would be an adult, working witch. On July the 1st, she was due to begin her new job. Harry would begin Auror training on the same day, and a week later, Ron would go to Charlie in Romania, and begin an apprenticeship in dragon handling. They were all going in separate directions, so it was important that they make the most of it in this last week they had together.

It seemed the boys had a similar idea, for Hermione had sooner thrown off her bedclothes when they came crashing through the door. She hastily pulled them back up, but needn’t have bothered. Harry was more interested in Ginny, his girlfriend of around a year. Ron, who had caught an eyeful of the skimpy cotton singlet Hermione slept in (and a lot of what is wasn’t hiding), blushed red and fled out the door.

By then Harry had a sleepy, grumbly Ginny wrapped in his arms, and he grinned down at Hermione.
“Come on ‘Mione! Lots to do and not much time!”
He planted a quick kiss on Ginny’s cheek and vaulted over Hermione’s bed to the doorway beyond.
“See you downstairs in ten. Both of you, Gin.”

It was slightly more than ten minutes later that the girls emerged for breakfast, where an excited discussion was held over what to do for the week. They had already decided to go to Diagon Alley, to the quiddith match where Puddlemere United were playing the Chudley Canons, and also to a Muggle fun park (although the idea of controlling Ron there, who seemed to have inherited an awe of all things Muggle from his father, was enough to give Hermione a headache already). Then, of course, Ron and Hermione had to pack. Harry was staying at the Burrow, like and adopted son. He would go to the Ministry every morning with Mr Weasley. It seemed like a good idea for everyone, for it meant Harry could see more of Ginny, and Molly could keep an eye on Harry, whom she considered to be her future son-in-law.

Hermione was moving to Hogsmeade, and Ron would be living in a cave. He didn’t look very excited at the prospect, and Hermione wondered why he had allowed himself to be badgered into the apprenticeship.

And so the week flew by. They didn’t spend every moment of their time together. Hermione used her newly acquired apparition skills to “pop” home and visit her parents, as well as to collect some things to take to Hogsmeade with her. Harry and Ginny developed an annoying habit of slipping off unnoticed for several hours each afternoon. And Ron, when he wasn’t trying to avoid a mother who had taken to fussing over him, flew moodily around on his broom, unwilling to come down and talk to anyone. More than once, Hermione wondered to herself, Is this where our lives are heading?

Soon, Sunday morning arrived. The last day of June, and the last day of their old lives. This time, Hermione didn’t have any trouble waking up. She was awake at four o’clock, and by four-thirty, had given up trying to will herself back to sleep.

Taking care not to wake Ginny, Hermione crept downstairs and into the darkened living room. She curled up at the end of the couch, and stared into the lonely night. It startled her when a voice came from the other end of the couch.

“Couldn’t sleep either?”
It was Harry, and Hermione couldn’t help smiling.
“No. I am nervous and excited and sad all at once.”
“I know what you mean.”
Hermione tried to find him in the darkness.
“We begin a new chapter of our lives today. I am scared that everything is going to change.”
“Some things will change, ‘Mione, but we will always be good friends.”
“And I am scared for you. You have a way of attracting danger … just look at your history! And now you are training for one of the most dangerous jobs in the wizarding world…” she trailed off, and a gaping silence emerged between them.

Just as Harry was taking a breath to speak, to reassure her, Hermione spoke again.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful Harry. We may be grown up, but we still need our best friend.”
To her surprise, Harry chuckled quietly.
“Don’t worry Hermione. You can’t get rid of me that easily. Just look at my history!”

***

Ron arrived downstairs an hour later, and the three of them sat in silence and watched the sun rise through the stain glass windows. As the house began to stir above them, Harry and Ron took turns reassuring Hermione, and probably themselves as well, that everything would be okay. But she co’t h’t help feeling like a lamb led to the slaughter.

***

The morning passed in a blur of last minute pressing and packing for Hermione. Ginny had weeks more of holidays at the Burrow, and Harry had moved in for good, so they took advantage of having no packing to do and got into a passionate little session of Ginny’s bed.

After Hermione had interrupted them for the third time, they gave up and went outside to fly about with Ron. Hermione wondered how they far would have gone if she didn’t come in, and how far they had gone, for that matter. The more they became a distinct couple, the more Hermione felt like her friendships with Harry and Ginny were set to crumble.

Over a quick lunch of salad rolls, Molly cornered Hermione. “My dear, you know that Harry is like a son to us, and you are like a daughter. Feel free to come around any time you can. No – in fact, we will be expecting it. I expect you’ll be wanting a good home-cooked meal now and again, so I want you to just drop in. Don’t worry about owling us first. I’m used to cooking for many, and one more – especially when it would be you – is never any bother.” Harry and Ginny were nodding eagerly behind Molly’s head, but Ron was looking past them, with a gloomy expression on his face.

Ron’s gloominess spread as the afternoon wore on, and when five o’clock came, the time for Hermione to apparate to Hogsmeade, the atmosphere had the distinct feeling of a funeral march. Ron mournfully said goodbye and good luck. He wrapped her in a tight hug and gave her a peck on the cheek, and looked uncomfortable when she, in turn, wished him much luck. He fled upstairs as soon as Hermione had dropped her hand away from his.

Ginny gave her a tight hug, andonisonished her to write (or even better, visit) often. To not work too hard and enjoy life a little. And of course, to always be in Hogsmeade on the Hogwarts Hogsmeade weekends, so that they might catch up.

Molly and Arthur and Fred and George all had their turns, and finally, Hermione was in Harry’s arms, muttering to him to be careful. Harry drew back and looked at her with a gleam in his eye. Patting her shoulder, he said, “And Hermione, have a good one. I really mean it. I don’t know when I’ll see you next, but be happy.”

Hermione smiled, and then turned suddenly, so that no-one would see the tears in her eyes. How stupid, she thought, to get all teary like this. And with that, she apparated from the Burrow. It was time for her new life to begin.