Chapter 3
Usually, Sundays were a more social day for Hermione, but she decided to run some errands and treat herself to some alone time. So, naturally, she went to the bookstore.
By the end of the day, her kitchen was stocked for the week, and she had a new pile of books by her couch. Her legs were splayed in front of her as she rested her back on the armrest, and Abernathy was curled up in her lap to sleep.
She was interrupted in her reading by a soft owl tap on her window. Abernathy yowled as she shifted to get up, and she quickly scratched his head in apology for disturbing him and went to let the owl in. A soft brown barn owl that she did not recognize perched nicely on the stand she attached to her bookshelf, and she offered the bird a treat after taking the note off its leg. The creature chirped in thanks, then flew off as quickly as he came.
Locking the window, she grabbed a treat for Abernathy as a peace offering and sat back down on the couch by the disgruntled cat. He curled up into her side and settled back into his nap as she opened the letter.
Min,
Hope you got to keep the contents of your stomach this morning! You better not be glaring at this letter now, as I was the heroic one who cured your hangover yesterday.
Missed you at lunch today. Ickle Ronnie brought his new girl, and the entire day was Mum fawning over her. I guess the only girlfriend she has liked more has been you, but it would’ve been nice to make little jokes to you about it.
I hope everything is ok with us. I did really enjoy our evening, from what I can remember, and I hope if you remember anything, it was the best you’ve ever experienced. It obviously was, as I am very talented, but that’s not important.
What is important is making sure you don’t regret it. I do feel a bit guilty for shagging a friend, and I know you just want to forget and move on, but I do hope you have forgiven me as well. Usually, I take a girl out for dinner before a shag to be a gentleman, but from what I remember you were not in the mood for a gentleman the other night.
I know you're scowling at the paper again, so I am going to wrap this up. Hope to see you soon, Min. Let me know if you need dinner because I definitely owe you one.
Fred (the best shag of your life)
Hermione sighed. She had remembered bits and pieces of the night throughout the day, and she hated to admit it, but he was right.
It was the best shag of her life. Not that she had much to compare it to, but from what she remembered, she enjoyed herself quite a bit.
She was a bit more adventurous than she was used to, but those details were still hazy.
She tucked the note into her work bag to reply using the ministry owls and resumed her book. The letter was kind of Fred, even if he couldn’t take anything seriously. Honestly, she appreciated it. It was better that they could laugh about it and move on rather than have a more complicated and serious conversation.
If Hermione was going to get more serious about her life and her goals, she needed to be more comfortable with the idea of being with someone. Call it exposure therapy.
-
The next morning, she wrote a quick response to Fred and sent it off with an owl before getting to her office.
Fred,
Thank you for checking in. I feel fine about what happened. We are friends, and I’m glad we can laugh about it and move on. If anything, it made me realize that I need to have a little more fun, so thank you for that.
In the mindset of having more fun, I’ll probably take you up on that dinner offer eventually!
See you next Sunday,
Hermione
When she entered her office at the ministry, she greeted her co-worker, Melody. She was a few years younger than Hermione, and she acted as an assistant to everyone involved in the department. Hermione found the younger girl very kind, and they often enjoyed their lunch break together.
“Oh, Hermione!”
“Yes?”
“Cormac McLaggen was in here earlier asking to set up a meeting with you. I stalled him by saying your schedule was pretty busy these next few days, but he insisted you said you would meet this week and said he would come back this afternoon to discuss it with you.”
“Ugh, alright. How exciting for me.”
“On the bright side, I brought some of the pastries you like for you. They’re on your desk.”
“Melody, if you weren’t married, I would kiss you right now.” The younger woman laughed at her response, and Hermione went into her office to get started on the workday. Also, to have a pastry, of course.
She decided to focus a lot of her attention in the morning on McLaggen’s tax proposal. She polished her list of why the system would benefit the richer families and hinder the other magical creatures and made sure her blouse was fully buttoned.
Let’s just say the reasons Hermione hated McLaggen had continued to grow after Hogwarts. So when he strode into her office a little past lunch, Hermione greeted him professionally.
“McLaggen.”
“Hermione Granger. Hard to get an audience with you, huh? I guess being the Golden Girl has its perks.”
The nickname started circulating in the media after the war. When word came out that she was finishing her education at Hogwarts, the Prophet wrote an article about it, praising her for finishing her education. She was named the “Golden Girl” of the war, which did not make any sense at all to Hermione. The media then continued to use the nickname, even when an article was put into Witch Weekly covering her breakup scandal with Ron.
“Yes, sorry. The schedule is quite busy this week with the implementation of the new protocol for the Aurors. What can I do for you?”
“Are you free now to discuss my tax proposal?”
“Unfortunately, I am working on some research for the giants and their current land disputes. Melody knows my schedule, and I am under the impression that she told you I didn’t have any time available.”
“Oh, Hermione. I value your opinion, so I really need your take on this.” He came around to the side of her desk to lean beside her.
“Maybe we can meet for drinks Wednesday night. Discuss the proposal, maybe discuss other things.” He said, raising his eyebrows. Hermione swallowed and pursed her lips.
“Busy Wednesday night as well, but I’ll be sure to have Melody fit you in next week. When are you free?”
“Hermione, please. Don’t make a grown man beg for your attention. It’s just work and drinks. Only more if you want.” He said with a wink. He also leaned further to her and looked down at her. It was unsettling for Hermione, and she decided she needed him out of her office as soon as possible.
“Actually, I am going to be late for a meeting with the Auror department. Can you please go talk to Melody about next week? My Monday should be wide open if I recall.” She stood and created as much distance as she could between them, grabbing folders from the top of her filing cabinet on the opposite side of the room.
“Alright. See you then, Golden Girl.” He then strode over to her, standing in between her and the door.
“I look forward to it.” He flicked his eyes down as he said it, then turned and left. Hermione sighed and leaned against the cabinet, relaxed since he was gone.
Hermione had expressed her concern about McLaggen’s behavior with Kingsley before. He had assured her he would take care of it if anything went too far and ceased any work between the two departments. Despite Kingsley’s efforts, McLaggen always seemed to be involved in things that would eventually lead to Hermione’s department intervening, and he always dragged her into the work rather than any of her co-workers.
It was exhausting.
She placed the folders that she picked up in her panic back on the cabinet and peeked out of her office. Melody sat alone at her desk, thankfully.
“McLaggen give you any trouble?”
“No, fortunately. I have him on your schedule in the morning next Monday. Hopefully, get it out of the way and move on with your day. I also promise to have a fresh batch of pastries.”
“You spoil me. I swear, sometimes you’re just trying to make me fat.”
“Oh, ‘Mione. They’re amazing, and you know it. And I know you cannot cook for the life of you, so at least you’re eating something homemade.”
Melody was right, of course. For Hermione, grocery shopping meant buying pre-made meals and using those throughout the week. Even though she was extremely capable of magic, cooking magic never agreed with her. She stuck to her freezer meals as a result.
“You’re right. Thank you for giving me one thing to look forward to on Monday.”
“Of course, boss. Also, the new draft of the Giant’s land treaty has arrived for you.”
Hermione then did what she did best: got back to her work.
-
That evening, Hermione decided to spice up her routine a little bit. How on earth would she meet someone if something didn’t change a little? As a result, she found herself sitting at the bar at the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Ginny to arrive.
She sipped on her butterbeer and scanned the room once again. As it was a Monday, there was not much of a crowd. There were a few witches and wizards scattered about the room, but nobody who looked even remotely close to Hermione’s age. She turned her attention back to her butterbeer.
Thankfully, the floo roared to life, and Ginny emerged. She flashed Hermione a smile upon spotting her and practically bounded to the stool beside her.
“Hermione Granger! I am so excited that you invited me out! Your letter was extremely vague. Is there something going on you’re not telling me?”
“Gin, I’m fine! Just thought maybe I should get out more.” Ginny gave her a look, and Hermione sighed and took a large gulp of her drink.
“Okay, I will admit it. I’m lonely, and it would be nice to maybe meet someone. So I wanted to do a little shopping and see if you had anyone in mind.”
“Oh, Hermione! This is so exciting! I have a few wizards I think we should discuss.”
Hermione’s eyes widened at Ginny’s giddy expression, and she chugged the rest of her butterbeer. She paid for her drink and motioned for Ginny to lead the way to Diagon. Ginny looped her arm into Hermione’s and dragged her forward, launching into an explanation of the men she knew were available.
“Where on earth have you met these people?”
“We have mixers with other teams all the time. Not all of them are players, I promise. I know of few members of the press and boosters that might tickle your fancy.”
“Alright, as long as I don’t have dates with two Quidditch players in a row!”
Ginny immediately led her to one of the adult clothing stores down one of the branches of Diagon Alley. When they entered, she quickly walked to the back, and Hermione gasped when she saw what Ginny was making her look at.
“Ginerva! Lingerie, really?”
“Yes, ‘Mione! If these dates go well, I want you to be prepared. A romp in the sack every once in a while would be good for you. Dust off those cobwebs!”
If only she knew she had, with her older brother no less.
Hermione rolled her eyes but started to look. Ginny would not let her leave without buying at least two sets, and she ended up with a maroon set and a dark navy. She also insisted that Hermione buy some new clothes for her potential dates. When Hermione brought up that she already had plenty of clothes, Ginny responded with, “Not with sex appeal.”
Hermione didn’t want to admit it, but Ginny had a point.
When they finished making their purchases, they strolled back to the main alley to pick up some potions. Hermione needed to restock a few of hers, so they went to the apothecary.
“Oh, you should probably get some protection potions. The charm obviously works, but sometimes, in the heat of the moment, things get forgotten.” Ginny waggled her eyebrows at her while passing her three of the vials.
“They last for three months, so you should be good for a little while with these three.” Hermione thanked her and went to the counter to buy the vials.
Hermione couldn’t remember much about her night with Fred, but she was sure that she was logical enough to use the charm. Even when drunk.
Maybe she should ask if Fred remembered.
She shoved the thoughts aside, and they made their way back outside again. Ginny suggested they stop for ice cream, so the two women wandered down the alley with their treats.
“Do you need to go anywhere else? I think we got everything I think you need.”
“I think I’m good, Gin. I won’t bore you with the bookstore. I would appreciate you setting me up with men you think I’ll like, so I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”
Ginny laughed and once again interlocked her arm with Hermione. Hermione felt very carefree, and it was nice just to have some time with her friend. Her smile faded at the next sentence Ginny said.
“How about we swing by the twin’s shop? Do you need more perfume? You have to smell nice for your date, and I think they came out with a new scent that resembles an aphrodisiac!”
Hermione put a smile back on her face and nodded. She was bound to see Fred at some point, and it made sense that they would stop by their shop if they were there. It was going to be fine, they were friends.
No big deal whatsoever.