I jump from the train, I ride off alone
The keys to Hermione Granger's London flat sat in an unmarked beige envelope on her landlord's worn doormat.
On the Minister of Magic's desk was another unmarked beige envelope containing a letter of resignation and a list of suitable replacements.
Several of her closest friends also had beige envelopes delivered— Harry Potter and Ron Weasley being the first recipients. Inside held notes stating she was of sound mind, was not being kidnapped, and did not wish to be contacted or followed. Signed off with an x Hermione, the notes vanished upon being read.
-
The disappearance was damn near airtight if she was being honest with herself. With her flat squared away, her career at the ministry effectively ended, and her friends warded off from immediately pursuing her, she would have had just enough time to hop on the next flight out of London Heathrow to New York.
She had hoped— no, she had planned that she wouldn't have time to ruminate over her plan, but unfortunately, muggle transportation delays had other plans. A "quick 15-minute delay" had turned into an indefinite one, as cold weather had caused ice to freeze on the tarmac.
Hermione tilted her head back until the bustling airport terminal was out of view and could only see the fluorescent white ceiling.
Alright, charming the notes to disappear was a bit dramatic. Maybe telling Harry and Ron her plan in person wouldn't have been so bad. Of course, they'd be upset— having a friend of 10 years tell you they're cutting you out of their life for no discernible reason would likely rouse adverse reactions. But maybe they'd understand.
Who was she kidding? With all of their lovable stubbornness, Harry and Ron would never have understood. Plus, that lack of discernible reason was so suffocating and all-encompassing that Hermione knew she had to get out, no matter the opinions of her friends.
She was at a grocery store, of all places. A muggle grocery store at that! Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Lavender were coming over to her flat that night for a celebratory dinner— she had been promoted to head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The five planned on having dinner at Hermione's and finishing the night at a muggle pub down the street.
Hermione had just picked up a shallot when a young girl's voice shouted, "Hermione Granger!"
Hermione lifted her head to see a primary school-aged girl standing with her father at the other end of the produce section, over by the oranges. In one hand, the girl held a book. She tugged on her father's shirt with the other. "Dad, it's Hermione Granger!"
The girl let go of her father's shirt, ran up to Hermione, took a large breath, and, with a hushed tone, started telling Hermione all about her year at Hogwarts. The girl must have just finished her first year, and surprisingly she avoided mentioning anything too magical. The girl reminded Hermione of herself at that age– eager and bright-eyed. According to the girl, the reminder went both ways.
"--But I spend much more time in the library than her or any of her friends! And she thinks I'll get Troll in all my courses, but I know I'll get O's!"
The girl quickly looked around the produce section before whispering, "because the Golden Girl is a muggle-born, just like me!"
She looked up at Hermione, beaming.
And while Hermione knew that she should feel something akin to pride that this girl was so inspired, she could only feel an icy pit in her stomach. She plastered a smile on her face, attempting to hide that she felt frozen in place.
"Of course, you'll get all O's," she said. "Be careful with your due dates, though. Madam Pince can be a nightmare if a book is overdue."
Pleased with Hermione's answer, the girl smiled an "of course!" and rushed back to her father. Hermione could hear the girl gushing about the 3-second interaction as she exhaled and pushed her cart towards the greens. The pit in her stomach faded as she looked at the shelf before her. Spinach. Kale. Romaine.
Why hadn't she felt elated that this girl had a role model? Shouldn't she feel honored to be that figure for her? Hermione shook her head. Today was a day to celebrate her promotion, not get bogged down by a fluke emotional response.
The following times, however, were more challenging to shake.
It happened when she went to the hairstylist. Going up the stairs in her block of flats. On a quick visit to Gringotts to deposit some Galleons. In the loo at a damned football game.
The title of Hermione Granger, the Golden Girl, was inescapable.
-
"Mrrrow!"
Crookshanks' meow broke Hermione out of her ruminating bubble.
Lowering her gaze from the ceiling, she saw that boarding for her group had begun.
Letting out a sigh, she stood from her seat and gathered her belongings. Satisfied that the invisible extension she set on Crookshank's carrier was holding up, she started towards the boarding doors.
She stopped short when she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the dark early morning windows. Looking back at her was a red-head, tall woman. As an extra precaution, she had charmed her appearance to make sure no one would be able to follow her.
The boarding process was quick, which Hermione appreciated. Once she landed at JFK, she would need to go through muggle customs, and while she trusted her magical disguise of "Anne Moore", the illegality still made her nervous.
The moral ambiguity of this plan is what she anticipated Harry and Ron would have the most issue with. But when hadn't they bent the rules to fit their goals? The Hogwarts rule book certainly did not permit sneaking out past curfew and going into restricted sections. As far as Hermione saw it, this was just a grander version of that.
Settling into her plane seat, Hermione dug a book out of her bag. The latest book on wild Phoenixes by one of her favorite magical authors, disguised as one of those muggle romance novels with drawings of the main characters on the cover.
"Pardon me," said a deep voice.
Hermione looked up to see a tall man with dark hair and horn-rimmed glasses standing in the aisle.
"That's my seat," he said, pointing at the empty window seat next to her.
"Oh!" Hermione shifted her legs to make space for the man to get through the seats.
He blinked at her incredulously. Paired with his mussed-up hair, those glasses really did suit him nicely.
There was a beat of silence.
"Here, I can get up--"
"Sorry, I'll just--"
But Hermione had already left her seat and moved into the aisle.
Glasses said his thanks as he brushed past her and went to his seat.
Sitting back down, Hermione continued reading her book. It really was fascinating. While Phoenixes are notoriously solitary creatures, they congregate on certain days of the year-- almost like holidays.
"Is that..." started Glasses, jolting Hermione out of her focused read. "Is that the new Emily Henry book?"
Hermione looked at the charmed cover of her book. She had just copied the first book she saw at the Waterstones near her flat, but indeed, the cover read Book Lovers by Emily Henry.
"Yep!" she replied and returned to reading, hoping her warm yet final tone would prevent further questioning.
"Whattaya think so far?"
Now, it was Hermione's turn to blink incredulously.
"I'm liking it. It's very..."
As she trailed off, she glanced around the plane. Bloody hell, why couldn't she just have left it at a one-sentence reply. Spotting a girl wearing purple and gold earrings with a lime green top, inspiration struck.
"Unique! It's a very unique book."
"Yes, I suppose it is unique," he replied, "but I did prefer her second book. Have you read her others?"
"Nope"
"Ah well, you simply must! They're such great reads."
Hermione hummed a response and attempted to end the conversation by reaching down to check on Crookshanks.
"Is that your cat?"
No, she stole it. "Yes," she sighed, resigned to having a chatty plane neighbor, "he's mine."
"Agh, sorry, haven't introduced myself yet!" Glasses said, outstretching his hand, "I'm Dylan."
"Anne," Hermione replied, shaking his hand.
"Well, Anne," he said with an oddly severe tone, "Anne, who has a cat and is reading an Emily Henry book, I think we are going to have a fun flight together!"