Am I Too Late

AM I TOO LATE

Ring Shopping

Chapter Five

The following morning, Hermione awoke to bright sunlight spilling through her bedroom windows. She groaned and clutched a hand to her forehead. She'd forgotten to close the curtains, and now the cheerful sunlight filled her room; she found it annoying.

She moaned as she sat up slowly. Her head ached, and her mouth felt like a desert had moved in overnight without her permission. She rubbed her eyes sleepily as she rolled ungracefully out of bed. Shuffling over to her wardrobe, she pulled open a drawer and grabbed the first thing she saw and made her way to the bathroom.

The shower water was hot and eased the pounding in her head. When she'd washed away the smell of the pub, she stepped out of the shower and into the lingering steam. She wrapped a towel tightly around her and then reached out to wipe her hand across the mirror. A perfect patch of silver shone back at her with a reflection of her eyes.

"Oh, Hermione," she said to herself, "what are you doing? This is madness." She sighed, slumped her shoulders a bit, and then held up her head. "No. I can do this. It's not Harry's fault that he's in love with someone else. I shouldn't punish him for this. He needs a friend, and I've never let him down before and I don't intend to start now."

And with that, she nodded at her reflection, squared her shoulders and proceeded to towel dry her hair. She slipped on the nightie she'd pulled out of her drawer and reached for her toothbrush.

"I can do this," she whispered, "I can do this. It's been much worse before...much, much worse. This is nothing. Just a friend helping a friend."

* * * *

The clock in Harry and Ron's flat chimed nine in the morning, and Harry was out the door. He knew Hermione would be awake; she was always an early riser. He apparated to just outside her flat and smiled. He fumbled in his pocket for the key to her flat that she'd made him a year ago in case of emergencies.

He knocked first and waited as he jingled the ring of keys in his hand. He knew she had to be home; she had the day off. He knocked once more before slipping the key into the lock and swinging the door open. He could hear water running in the bathroom, so he walked through the living room toward her bedroom.

When he stepped into her room, he quickly glanced around, taking in the surroundings. Her bed was unmade--a sign she hadn't been up very long. Her clothing from last night had been dropped onto the floor haphazardly; that fact told him that it was quite possible she'd been too tired to change into proper bedclothes (very un-Hermione like). He was going to call out to her, but when he glanced toward her bathroom, he was startled into silence.

Hermione stood, leaning over the sink, brushing her teeth. Her hair was damp and hanging loosely around her shoulders. Neither of those facts bothered him. It was what she was wearing that caused his mouth to fall open involuntarily. A thin, silky, and very short nightgown the color of crimson barely covered her body. Harry had never seen so much of Hermione before, and he found he couldn't look away.

Her arms and most of her legs were showing, and the thin material displayed curves Harry had never actually known were there before. Not that he didn't know Hermione was female, it was just that he'd...never really seen her that way. He tried to swallow; his mouth was dry. He knew he should turn around and sneak back into the living room, but he was so intrigued with seeing his best friend, who he thought he knew everything about, in such a different way. He gathered his thoughts together, mentally punched himself for staring at her while she wasn't properly dressed, and backed out of her room very slowly.

When he was standing in her living room, he called out to her. "Hermione! I'm here!" He heard a tiny eep when she heard his voice, and he was glad he'd not surprised her in her bedroom. It would be his little secret.

A minute later she emerged from her bedroom with a robe tied tightly around her, and he was surprised to feel a strange sort of disappointment creep into his chest. But he smiled just the same.

"Good morning," he said, sinking into the oversized arm chair.

"Morning? Yes. Good? Not sure yet," she said as she walked across the living room toward the kitchen. "Coffee?" she asked.

"Sure."

"What kind?" she asked, rummaging through the pantry.

"The kind you always drink. I think that's my favorite."

She leaned her head out of the pantry to look at him. "I thought you were into decaf."
"Nah. That's Beth's favorite. I'd much rather have the dark-strong-put hair on your chest stuff you drink."

Hermione laughed. "I hope it's not putting hair on my chest."

"I doubt it is," he said, and he blushed as he instantly thought of her in the tiny red nightie.

When she was done starting the coffee, she walked out and sat on the couch. Her hair was damp, and she still felt tired. In her weariness, it was almost easy to forget why Harry had come over--until he spoke about it, of course.

"So," he said, moving out of the large chair and climbing over onto the couch beside her, "I want to show you our first assignment of the day."
"Okay," she said, sighing but sitting up to pay attention.

Harry pulled a tiny black velvet box out of his pocket and held it out for her. She took it and snapped the top open. Her eyes widened, and she gasped in surprise. Her weariness disappeared immediately. She also forgot to act calm and collected.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. The sunlight from the nearest window sparkled inside the diamond, and she stared at it transfixed. "Oh, Harry, it's so beautiful!" she said again. She looked up at him to see him frowning. "What is it?"

He shrugged. "Well, I'm taking that one back."

"Why?" she wondered immediately. "Is it flawed?"

"No. The jeweler said it was perfect."

Hermione smiled. "And it certainly is."

"Well...Beth wanted a different cut."

"How do you know?" Hermione said, frowning deeper than she realized.

"She told me," he said plainly.

"Oh." Hermione didn't know what else to say. How could anyone turn down a diamond so beautiful? It almost made her angry, but she pushed aside her feelings. "I suppose she should be happy with it. So, we're going to take this one back and get a different style then?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," Hermione said, closing the box and handing it back to Harry.

The coffee pot began gurgling, and she stood up. As she walked into the kitchen to grab a couple of mugs, Harry opened the top of the ring box again.

"Do you really like it?" he asked, and she turned around to look at him.

"Like what?"

"The ring."

Hermione smiled involuntarily. "Oh yes, definitely. I think it's lovely."

Harry smiled at her. "I should have known we'd have the same taste," he said quietly.

Hermione blushed and opened a cabinet to hide the color in her cheeks. "You should have. After all these years, we're bound to gravitate toward the same things."

"Unless of course it's Quidditch. Then all bets are off."

She looked at Harry's twinkling eyes as he sat on the couch. The sunlight was dancing in his black hair, and she laughed lightly. "Exactly."

She filled up two coffee mugs and carried them into the living room.

Harry took a sip and moaned quietly. "This is just what I needed. Nobody makes coffee like this. Do you suppose you could make coffee like this just for me for the rest of your life? I'd pay you."

Hermione giggled. "You wouldn't have to pay me."

"But I could. In fact, I could bribe you with books."

"Books for coffee, eh? Sounds like a decent trade." Hermione leaned back on the couch and rested the mug between her hands. Sighing, she closed her eyes. She felt Harry lean back beside her.

"We haven't done this in forever."

"Done what?"

"Lazed around...not working..."

"True. I'm always working and you're always on assignment or coaching. How did you get time off?"

"Ah, I've got all my things done or organized. The coaching is more freelance at the moment, and I finished my last assignment three days ago. I probably won't have another for a couple of weeks."

"That's good," she mumbled, feeling completely relaxed. The sun coming through the window was warm.

"This is good," he said quietly.

"Mmhmmm," she agreed.

Harry lifted the coffee mug out of her hands, and she felt him shift around on the couch. Then, she felt him tug her arm which caused her to lean over. She rested her head against his shoulder.

"You seem tired. We can sit for a while until you feel rested. Besides, we've no time table today since we don't exactly have a schedule."

"Okay," she mumbled, completely forgetting that she shouldn't feel so comfortable resting against Harry's shoulder, and completely forgetting that he was getting married to someone else. At the moment, she didn't feel anything but perfectly content.

* * * *

When Hermione awoke, Harry's head was drooped down at an awkward angle. He was sleeping quietly, and she couldn't help but smile. He seemed to sense she was awake and opened his eyes.

"Morning...again," he yawned. "I suppose I needed a rest as well."

"Looks like it," Hermione said, gathering up their unfinished coffee and carrying the mugs into the kitchen.

Harry stood up in the living room and stretched his arms high above his head. "I feel all rested up. You?"

"I feel great," she said, and she meant it. "Let me get changed and we'll go and get the ring exchanged."

"Okay."

Hermione disappeared into her bedroom but didn't close the door. Harry could hear her removing her clothes and opening and closing drawers.

"Do you know what style of ring she wants?" Hermione asked nonchalantly, having decided that she would approach this situation like a project instead of like a heartbreak.

Momentarily distracted by the sound of a zipper being pulled up, Harry missed what she was saying. He mentally scolded himself immediately. He had no business letting his mind think of Hermione in such a way--with or without her clothes on.

"What's that?" he asked.

"The ring? Do you know what she wants?" she asked as she walked out of her bedroom wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans.

"Oh, yeah. I think so."

"Great. Did you buy the ring in Hogsmeade?"

"Yeah. Down in the new section."

"I figured. I've heard they have some great new shops down there."

"And the ice rink. Have you seen it? It's huge."

"Really? I haven't had a chance to go down there yet. Not with working and all, but Ginny told me about it."

"We should go," Harry said as he smiled.

"To the rink?" she asked, looking around for her jacket.

"Yeah. Why not? It would be fun."

"But I thought we were going ring shopping," Hermione replied.

"Come on, Hermione. We can do both. It won't take us all day to shop."

Hermione shrugged. "I suppose that's okay. Shall we Floo or Apparate?"

"Apparate," Harry said. "I've never been very fond of Flooing."

Hermione laughed. "One time Harry. It was only bad that one time."

"Sometimes once is all it takes," he said playfully.

"Evidently. Now let's get going."

* * * *

Harry pushed open the door to Laviera's Fine Jewelry and Accessories Shop. Hermione had yet to step inside this particular shop in Hogsmeade, so she was instantly shocked at the plush interior.

The carpet was a rich velvety blue and thick drapes adorned the long skinny windows. Chandeliers flickering with candlelight illuminated the room, and every space, every corner seemed to sparkle.

"Wow," Hermione whispered.

Harry turned around and smiled. "It's a nice place. Ron wouldn't even come inside. He said he knew he'd break something and then he'd have to sell his kidney to pay for the damages."

"Ron makes plenty of money playing Quidditch," Hermione said in confusion.

Harry laughed. "I know that, but he still likes to make the 'poor house' jokes." Hermione smiled. "There's the man that helped me the first time."

Harry weaved through the display cases, and Hermione followed close behind though she found herself walking much slower. Her eyes drifted down at the jewelry as she passed.

"Mr. Potter, it's good to see you again," the wizard behind the counter welcomed.

"Hi, Mr. Laviera." Harry pulled the tiny black box from his pocket and placed it on the counter. Mr. Laviera frowned.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"Well, not exactly. The ring is great, but Beth really wanted a different style," Harry grinned sheepishly.

"Oh?" Mr. Laviera said in surprise. "I was sure that was a real winner."

"Oh, it is," Harry agreed. "Hermione loved it, but I suppose it wasn't really Beth's choice."

"Hermione?" Mr. Laviera asked.
"Hi," Hermione said, smiling at the jeweler as she stepped up to stand by Harry, "I'm Harry's assistant."

Harry laughed. "This is Hermione Granger, my best friend."

"Ah, yes, Miss Granger. How are you?"

"Fine, thank you. Your shop is wonderful. This is my first time inside."

"Oh, well, be sure to take a look around. I hear you liked the ring."

Hermione leaned against the glass case and smiled wistfully. "It's very lovely. Probably one of the loveliest I've ever seen."

Mr. Laviera beamed and winked at Hermione. "Smart girl."

"But, we need to find the one that's best for Beth," Hermione said, snapping back to a more serious nature. "Do you remember what style she said she wanted, Harry?"

"She said emerald cut," he answered.

"Okay, follow me," Mr. Laviera said, and Harry and Hermione walked around the room until they stood in front of a case full of square cut diamonds.

"These are nice," Hermione said, looking down.

"Okay, pick one," Harry said to her.

"What?"

"Pick the one you think is the best."

"Harry, it isn't for me. I have no idea what she'd want."

"Well, I trust your judgment," Harry said as he smiled.

"Don't be silly. I'm not choosing the ring for you. I said I'd help, but I won't do it all myself. She's your girl friend. What do you think she'd like?" Hermione asked, feeling flustered.

Harry leaned his elbows against the top of the glass case and looked seriously at Hermione. "Listen, I picked the first time and it wasn't right. I brought you along so you could give me a woman's opinion."

Mr. Laviera laughed as he listened to the two friends arguing. Hermione frowned. "Oh, honestly, Harry! I thought the first ring was gorgeous. But she wants one of these dull square ones, so I think you should pick out whichever one you can afford."

"I can afford them all," he whispered playfully as he leaned closer to Hermione. "Pick one."

"Fine!" she said in a huff. She pointed down at a ring, and the ring levitated out of its holdings and floated up toward her. She stared at it and wondered what to do next.

"Hold out your finger," Harry said.

She looked up at Harry in shock. "What?!"

"Hold out your finger. It will slide on, and we can see how it looks," he said innocently.

"I will not," she said breathlessly. "I don't see any reason to try it on. You aren't marrying me," she said as her cheeks burned pink.

Harry laughed. "I know I'm not marrying you, Hermione. If I was, we'd be over at the other counter with the first ring, but I need to see how it looks. Besides, I want your opinion."

Hermione held out her finger, and the ring floated over and slipped on. The ring size adjusted immediately to her finger, and she couldn't help but smile.

"It's very nice," she said quietly.

"It is," Harry agreed. He reached out and lifted Hermione's hand in his and leaned closer to get a good look at the ring. Her palm suddenly felt clammy, and her chest constricted. Harry looked up at her and smiled. "I think this one should do the trick."

"Works for me," she said breathlessly as she and Harry locked eyes.

He turned away and smiled at Mr. Laviera. "We'll take it."

"Great. I'll be right back with the box and receipt."

The ring slipped from her finger as easily as it slipped on, and a small part of Hermione was sad to see it go. After Harry paid the jeweler and dropped the ring into his pocket, he looked at her and grinned.

"What?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously. There was a gleam in his eyes.

"Hot chocolate and ice skating?" he asked.

She groaned. "I thought you'd forgotten about that."

"I know." He smiled wider.

"Listen, Harry, I'm not a very good ice skater."

"You're good at everything," Harry said playfully.

She placed her hands on her hips. "No, I'm not."

"Come on. We're going ice skating," he said, and he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the shop.

She looked over her shoulder as Harry ushered her out of the store, and she saw Mr. Laviera looking at the two of them curiously. Before she could over think the look in the jeweler's eyes, she was thrust outside into the cold, and Harry was dragging her toward the skating rink.