Five Years Later

Hermione sighed as she walked through the door to her Londonflat. She dropped her bags on the floor and sat down on a cushy chair. Who thought that being a librarian would be so exhausting, she thought to herself. But Hermione loved her job as the Head Librarian at the Ministry of Magic. It only took her a remarkable four years to reach the post of head librarian. The job was rewarding and challenging to Hermione.

As her good friend Harry said, "Hermione is finally making use of all that stuff in her brain."

Hermione started to make herself supper as she thought of her friend Harry. Harry was still a good friend of Hermione and to Ron as well. But Ron refused to talk to Hermione after they graduated from Hogwarts. Hermione had always wondered why she never heard from Ron. Harry would speak little about him in front of her. She knew that they kept in close contact. She also knew that Ron was playing Quidditch for a living but that was all. Hermione was hurt about how Ron treated her after graduation. He refused to answer her all owls the summer after graduation. She had given up contacting Ron after that. And it seemed, from what she learnt from Harry, that Ron did not want any contact from her.

Hermione had broken up from her longtime love, Victor, who she had seen more of after her sixth year of Hogwarts. They never had a very serious relationship. They had loved each other. It was just fun love; the type of love that didn't last. She wondered how they last as long as they did.

Those things aside she had a very good life. She had a wonderful job and family. Who am I kidding? Hermione thought over her supper. I don't have love. Look at me I'm having dinner alone in my lonely apartment. She grew even more depressed. When will I find real love with someone? Someone, unlike Victor, who can be here with me all the time. Hermione felt the tears and depression coming over her. Quickly she composed herself and cleaned up her dishes.

Hermione had kept her feelings for Ron suppressed over her seven years at Hogwarts. There was so much studying and work to do. How could you have romance in between it all? It didn't help that Ron basically acted like an idiot in front of her for the last few Hogwarts years. What a fool he was, Hermione thought.

Suddenly the phone rang. Hermione dragged her tired body across the room to answer it.

"Hello."

"Hi Hermione."

"Oh, Harry," Hermione cheerfully said. "I thought that you were in Canada."

"I just got back from British Columbia today," Harry said wearily. "I didn't think that Aurors had to travel so much when I signed up for this job."

"Anyway I just wonder if we could get together for a drink tonight, Hermione," Harry asked.

"That would be fine, Harry. I'll meet you at the Leaky Cauldron...in a half hour if that's okay," Hermione said.

"That's fine. I'll see you then,"

"Bye, Harry." Hermione smiled sweetly and hung up the phone.

Hermione cheered up considerably after the phone call from Harry. She hadn't seen him in weeks. Harry had been in Canada on a case. She never asked for details. Occasionally, he had to travel abroad for his job. Hermione missed his company during these times. Harry was such a sweet person, but he needed a girlfriend. He needs someone that can support him emotionally, Hermione thought to herself as she changed. He has had a hard life. It took him a good two years to get over Sirius death.

Hermione walked to the Leaky Cauldron. As she entered she saw Harry in the far corner talking to Gilderoy Lockhart.

Lockhart was telling Harry one of his unbelievable stories.

"So then I hit this thing with a...," Lockhart looked up at Hermione. "Miss Granger! What a surprise! Give your favorite Dark Arts teacher a hug."

Hermione looked a Lockhart with a look of part surprise, part disgust on her face and then walked into his open arms.

"You better be telling people at the Ministry who taught you all about the Dark Arts. I taught you and Harry everything you know and you both have become so successful in your careers. Of course, you haven't become as famous as I. But then again who could. I guess I should let you chat. That beautiful witch over there has been making eyes at me all night. I should go over and at least give her an autograph."

He winked at Harry.

"Hermione and Harry, I'll send you some autographs to your offices." Lockhart walked away while pumping out his chest and smiling at the blond witch. Lockhart looked considerable better since the last time Hermione saw her former professor. He seems to have made a full recovery, Hermione thought to herself.

Harry hugged Hermione.

"Oh, it's so great to see you Hermione."

"And you too."

"Hermione, I think Lockhart got most of his memory back from reading his books. He doesn't remember that he made up or stole all those stories," Harry whispered to her while looking at Lockhart flirting with the blond.

"Well, he hasn't changed that much it seems," Hermione said with a trace of amusement in her voice.

"Well, what's new with you, Hermione?"

"Well...er," Hermione felt her face get red. "I've broken it off with Victor. For good."

Harry looked at her in shock, and then recovered. "Well, I never though that you two would last."

"Harry!" Hermione said angrily. Then she thought for a second. "I'm sorry. I kind of knew but I didn't want to accept it for a while."

Like for six years, Harry though. God, I have to tell Ron.

To be continued...