Summary: It's been 7 years since Hermione saw Harry but when an accident brings him back into her life, would she accept him? And would her well-kept feelings threaten to rise to the surface once again…?
Disclaimer: I own nothing!! Except for the people u don't recognize.. :P
A/N: Hi… this is my first fanfic so please, please be gentle…the plot is an overused one sorry… but I'm kinda lacking inspiration at the moment… and the story might not be great but please review anyway!! Constructive criticisms really help!! :P Thanks!!
Chapter 1: Memories
Hermione Granger looked at the pile of paperwork over-flooding her desk and not for the first time since she started her career as a high-flying lawyer, she felt helpless. Extremely helpless. It didn't help either that she hasn't had a wink of sleep for the last couple of days or that she only managed to stay awake by consuming large amounts of coffee over laden with caffeine and sugar.
Just then, her office door flew open with a loud bang and her co-workers streamed in wearing Santa hats and singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs.
' Oh no, not now…I'm so not in the mood.' thought Hermione.
"Hermione! Merry Christmas!!" said her best friend from university and partner of their prestigious law firm, Heather.
"Heather, Christmas is still two weeks away. It's too early to be celebrating especially when we have such a huge case on our hands. Do you know the outcome of this case will make or break our law firm? If we fail to succeed, all our hard work will go down the drain. Heather!? Do you understand me?" Hermione said, waving her hands up and down in an exasperated motion.
" Honey, course I understand… but that still doesn't mean we can't let loose once in a while right? Too much stress clouds up my thinking. Besides you look like you're about to collapse any second…Have you eaten anything aside from biscuits and what not in the past couple of days?" she asked.
Hermione shook her head and gave up trying to convince Heather. She looked so happy and Hermione just didn't have the heart or the strength to tell Heather to get back to work. She looked around her and saw her staff laughing and dancing with each other. She smiled wistfully. There had been a time when she too was like that, not having a care in the world and the most important thing was to enjoy her self and have fun besides studying of course! But that time has past and she had to move on.
It has been 7 years since she felt that way, happy, joyous and surrounded by people who loved and cared about her. 7 years since she left Hogwarts. 7 years since she left the magic world and returned to the Muggle world. 7 years since she heard from any of her friends from Hogwarts and 7 years since she last heard from Ron and Harry…Harry, the thought of him seem to be lodged into her brain for the past 7 years…She was constantly worried about him and have spent many a sleepless nights thinking about him…wondering whether he was alright after defeating Voldemort and knowing he would be blaming himself somehow for causing so many deaths. She often wondered how he would cope and how Ron would very likely not be much help since Ron always left these matters to Hermione…These thoughts have occupied her mind all through university but have been decreasing steadily ever since she started her own law firm with Heather. The firm kept her busy with more and more cases coming in each week that required her full and immediate attention. Because of this, the law firm has risen up the ranks quickly and has become one of the top firms in the country. Yet the image of a forlorn-looking Harry kept haunting her and she blamed herself somewhat for deserting Harry at his time of need.
' It's not your fault, Hermione… he pushed you away remember?'
'Oh hush. I know. But I should have been there for him anyway. I know how he is after someone close to him dies…I'm his best friend! The least I could do was take care of him…'
'And just exactly how long are you going to do that? You've been there for him for seven years! You're not his mother! You're human too, you know…you can get tired of taking care of him…besides you never did like him as just your friend have you?'
Hermione's 'angel' and 'devil' have been at it for years and still she couldn't get rid of them. Sure, she felt guilty at first for leaving Harry without so much as a goodbye. It wasn't her style but she wasn't thinking straight then and she pushed her guilt aside by replacing them with anger…
Flashback"Harry? Are you alright?" asked Hermione. She has been worried ever since he came back from the war with a blank expression on his face after announcing he has won. He has been staring into space since then.
She knew he felt guilty that he couldn't stop Voldemort earlier before he caused so many casualties but it wasn't his fault and it was up to her to make him realize that.
"Harry? C'mon talk to me…you'll feel better. Look, I know you feel horrible and you think you caused Professor Dumbledore's death but it couldn't be helped. Harry, it's not your fault. I know how you feel and…" Hermione trailed off when she saw the look on Harry's face.
"You know how I feel? Do you really, Hermione? If you do then you would know I prefer a brick wall to your company right now! Can't you just shut up for a minute? I come back looking for peace and quiet and you couldn't keep your mouth shut for even one bloody second!! Oh no, Miss Hermione Know-It-All Granger has to drone on and on and on about some crap or other. Just leave me alone, Granger!"
Hermione gasped. She couldn't believe Harry had just said what he said. Tears were filling her eyes until she couldn't see clearly but she pushed them down. She refused to cry. Harry didn't mean what he just said…he couldn't. He was her best friend.
"Harry, I…"
"Just LEAVE ME ALONE, Granger! I hate you!!" shouted Harry and with that he left her sitting there with her mouth wide open and her eyes brimming with tears.
End Flashback"Hello?! Earth to Hermione!!"
"Huh?" Hermione focused on Heather and was shocked to realize that there were tears in her eyes.
"Honey, I know you're touched that we threw a party and all but you don't have to cry!" Heather said, grinning.
Hermione shook her head instead of replying for fear that if she opened her mouth to speak she would cry out loud.
'I didn't cry then and I won't cry now. What the hell is wrong with me?? It's been years already! Why can't I let go? Maybe I just need some sleep…'
"Hermione?" Heather asked, her voice full with worry. "Honey, maybe you should go home and get some rest. I'll handle things here."
Hermione threw Heather a doubtful look. She loves Heather and all but the woman cannot do a thing right without someone breathing down her neck. It's a miracle she made it through university without getting kicked out!
Heather took a deep breath and said " It's okay, Honey. You can trust me. I promise you I will have everything done and ready on your desk by eight in the morning. Just please go home and rest. I can't go to court without you! You have to do the closing argument and convince the jury, remember?" Heather put on her best pleading face.
Hermione, feeling too tired to do anything else shrugged and nodded. "Alright, fine if you insist." Hermione looked at Heather again. She has been her best friend and a never-ending source of laughter all through university until now. Feeling impulsive all of a sudden, she drew Heather in for a fierce and tight hug. "You're one of the best things that has ever happened to me, you know that? Thanks for being there for me no matter what…" Hermione petered off when Heather stared at her with tear filled eyes. " Oh, Honey, you don't have to say that…Come on, get up. I'll take you home. You must be exhausted. You've been working non stop for the past couple of days."
"No, it's ok. You stay here and enjoy the party. Just make sure you keep your promise." Hermione gave Heather a stern look.
"But it's late and…"
"Heather! I know how to take care of myself! I've lived here for the past 7 years!"
" I know. I know. I'm just worried, is all. Ok, ok. SoI'll see you tomorrow at eight?"
Hermione nodded and mustered a weak smile before waving goodbye to the rest of the staff and stepping out of the office.
Heather watched Hermione hail a cab before returning to the party. 'I worry about the girl sometimes. She keeps too much to herself. All that pent up emotion must be making her senses go haywire. I'm gonna find out what is bothering her even if it kills me.'
Hermione arrived home to the flat she shares with Heather fifteen minutes later with some takeout Chinese food.
She took a quick shower and settled onto her sofa for some dinner before going to bed. After finishing dinner, she went into her room when suddenly her left foot connected with a large and hard object.
"Ouch! Shit, what the hell? God, I'm going to kill Heather for leaving all her stuff on the floor! How many times do I have to tell her to keep her stuff after using them?
Hermione bend down to pick up the object that inflicted so much pain on her left foot. She gasped when she saw the object…it was her Hogwarts yearbook. She sat down on the floor and began to open the book, and as the people in the pictures waved and grinned at her, she felt herself drawn back into her past and her memories during her final year in Hogwarts before the war began…
Flashback"Oh Harry, hold still. I can't fix your tie if you keep moving." Said an exasperated Hermione.
"C'mon Hermy, it's just a picture. It doesn't have to be perfect. Where are Ron and Luna anyway? Their ten minutes late."
Just then Ron and Luna came careening down the hallway gasping and panting. "Ok, we're here…are we late?" Ron managed to sputter out.
Judging by the evil look Hermione was casting at them and the impatient look Colin Creevey was giving them, it meant that they were.
"Sorry…got a little carried away with what we were doing…" Ron said.
"And what exactly were you doing that was so important that couldn't wait until after we took our portrait?" Asked Hermione with an arched eyebrow.
"We…um…" Ron blushed a crimson red.
"We were making out." Said Luna matter-of-factly.
"Ok. Enough said." Harry interrupted hastily. "Let's just take the picture and get it over with."
"Ok. Everyone ready? On the count of three. One…two…"
Just as Colin was about to snap the picture, Harry leaned over, grabbed Hermione around the waist and kissed her cheek.
"Harry! What are you…?"
SNAP!
"Done! Next please." Colin called out.
Colin gave each of them a copy of the photograph and grinned when he noticed Hermione blush a deep shade of red.
In the photograph, Luna and Ron were staring up at each other adoringly and Harry was kissing Hermione.
Neither of them knew that that would be the last 'happy' time they shared before going their separate ways…
End FlashbackHermione stared at the picture for a long time but her gaze was solely focused on a raven-haired boy with mischievous emerald eyes…
'Damn that Harry Potter. He's still on my mind after all this years.'
With a sigh, Hermione got up from the floor and settled herself on her bed. She tossed and turned for some time before finally falling asleep.
A/N: So… do ya like it?? I hope you do…anywayz please read and review and I promise I will do the same for you … please don't hesitate to point out any mistakes or give any suggestions…Thanks!!!