Ethereal

Hermione closes the door and leans her back against it, closing her eyes.

It's always hard to say goodbye, she never knows when she would see him again. And she never asks. It seems like a futile way of spending her calculated moments with Harry. 

She strips from her clothes and makes her way into the shower. The hot water burns her skin, burns each of Harry's touch away. She lets the water soothe her pain, her thoughts, and her mind. 

Harry... is her best friend. 

She loves him. Each time she closes her eyes, she can always see those emerald eyes staring back at her. His face lurks in most of her dreams. 

They have a connection, something so intense that neither of them can let it go. They faced multiple trials but Harry and Hermione stuck to each other. Through each of them, it was almost like they were each other's lifelines. 

And Hermione knows, she knows that she cannot afford to jeopardise a relationship so precious.  So meaningful. It would be devastating to lose Harry's presence in her life. 

Also, she is pretty sure he isn't interested. If he was she would surely know by now. Right? She can't spend the rest of her life hanging on to a frayed thread of hope.

These thoughts make her come back to that one voice in her head that tells her to move on. Find somebody. She cannot replace Harry ever, but instead of creepily crushing on him when he only sees her as a friend she can look for someone. 

Yes, that's the smart decision. 

Her mental pros and cons list definitely deems this to be a smart decision. 

So, it's official. Hermione Granger is looking for a partner. 

_________________________

Another week, another unrelenting pile of documents threatening to take over her desk, Hermione thinks to herself. She leans against the back of her chair and lets a passing breeze clear her mind. 

Harry left for a mission four days back. This one should wind up in a week or so. Hermione is surprised at the knowledge that he didn't opt for the seven month mission available. Mostly him taking missions right away troubles her a lot, but this time she supposes it's good. 

If one ignores the longing she feels in her absence, this way she can limit their interactions. Maybe this would also give her enough time to move on. 

A subtle knock bring her back to reality. Her door opens slightly and a red-haired head popped out. 

"Yes Ron?" She invited him with a wave, "anything I can do for you?"

"Yes about the auror rotation schedule. The final revisions are made and this will be active for the next month. I need you to sign it off." He approaches her table, flipping through the pages. 

"Ah ok. Where do I sign?" Hermione asks, neglecting to look over the document in the first place.

"You should probably review it first."

"I trust you."

Ron eyes Hermione in surprise.

"Well don't look so shocked," Hermione jokes. "You've grown up from the dumb kid you used to be, you do your job well and you're my best friend."

"Thanks," Ron chokes out, blushing slightly. "Signature on the bottom right of the last page."

"Done," Hermione says, she passes back the clipboard and slacks deeper into her seat.

"You look less tired than usual," Ron comments.

Hermione offers a smile. 

Hermione and Ron both turn towards the voice suddenly coming from the door and find a blonde-haired man with deep brown eyes inching inside cautiously.

"Sorry to interrupt. The door was open, I didn't mean to..."

"No that's fine. Come in..." Hermione waits for a name.

"Alex. Alex Blackweather. We umm... met at the Education Board Committee meeting last week," the man explains timidly.

"Oh, that's right!" Hermione remembers.

"I just wanted to bring the new curriculum plan for you to take a look at, Ministress Granger," Alex says, giving Hermione a labelled binder.

"Oh you can call me Hermione, Ministress sounds really weird."

Alex smiled shyly and tried her name out. 

"Uhm right. Hermione then. I'm sorry I'm so nervous. It's just so great meeting you. I mean we did meet lat week but that was amongst other people and I definitely didn't introduce myself. It's just you're amazing, and wow I can't believe I'm talking to you."

Hermione smiled kindly at his starstruck rambling. 

"I remember you. You were the one with the self defence class ideas right? I noted it down."

Alex seemed to gleam at that. 

"Really?"

"Yeah of course. And hey, thanks for bringing this in," Hermione gestures to the binder now occupying a corner of her desk.

"I know it's a lot to read over. I can walk you through it if you'd like," Alex offers, hopeful.

"Sure."

"Maybe over dinner tonight?" and as the words come out, Alex feels he's overstepped just about every boundary of professionalism.

"Oh yeah, that'd be great. I kinda hate reading anyways."

Alex's eyes sparkle with glee and he lets out a gentle laugh.

"I can meet you here just after 6?" he suggests.

"Sure," Hermione agrees, and Alex leaves her office, politely closing the door behind her.

She turns to meet Ron's widened eyes. He's staring at her as if he can't quite believe the interaction that just took place. 

"I didn't know you were looking," he says quietly. 

"Looking for?"

"You know... a boyfriend."

Hermione lets out a sharp noise of surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You realise he just asked you out on a date. Right?"

"He did?"

"Yes, didn't you see how happy he looked when you accepted." 

Hermione thought it over and replied, "he probably just really wants to talk about the education program."

Ron scoffed, "yea sure."

"You're so wrong about this," Hermione said, feeling a little unsure herself. 

"Okay, I might be. However, if this was a date, would you go?" Ron asked. 

"I... I don't know. I don't really know the guy. I met him once."

"Well that's what a date is for. To get to know each other."

"I guess."

"Do you find him attractive?"

"Objectively, maybe." 

If it was a date, should she still go? Hermione wonders. Alex seems nice, and Hermione desperately wants to forget her feelings for Harry. She did promise himself she'd at least try looking for a partner. She can't stay stuck on her best friend forever.

Well... looks like she's going on a date tonight.