In her last year at Hogwarts, Hermione had often gone a full week without seeing Ron, and she'd never particularly minded. But after less than two days without Ryan she missed him terribly. Their relationship was intensely physical and it was hard not to be in his presence, even if that just meant holding his hand under the dinner table.
He was visiting cousins in York that weekend, and he and Hermione had determined there was no easy way for her to come see him—he was sharing a bedroom, and his days were fully booked. So they'd sadly agreed not to see each other for three days, and they were only able to speak briefly by telephone.
Part of her worried that she was becoming dependent on him, but deep down she knew that wasn't the issue. It was more that Ryan drew something out of her that had long been buried, and when they were apart she felt herself revert to a prior way of being.
She had come to realise how one-sided she'd been. The old Hermione had been overly bookish and analytical, and definitely too much in her head. But now she felt a vitality she'd lacked—it was what had prompted her to go flying after Harry's first Cannons match, and it propelled her in numerous other ways.
To her astonishment she'd become a regular at the nearby leisure centre. At first she only used the treadmill and the weight machines Ryan had shown her. But then her mother dragged her to a cycle fitness class—the type in which everyone sits on a stationary bike and follows the instructor's commands to pedal faster or adjust the tension to simulate bicycling up a hill. Hermione was certain she'd hate it, but after one class she was hooked. The loud music—some of which she now recognised—pulled her out of her thoughts, and she enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when the class was over.
She'd attended three such classes the previous week, and she looked forward to shocking Ginny with the news. They were to meet for dinner, sometime after that afternoon's Holyhead Harpies match. Ginny was still in the reserves but she was expected to attend the entire match, no matter how long it lasted.
It was six o'clock, and Hermione was waiting for Ginny to call. The match had run nearly four hours, but it had ended an hour earlier and Hermione was feeling annoyed. It wasn't like Ginny to forget an engagement—she'd once told Hermione that she'd so often felt like an outsider in her early years at Hogwarts that she particularly cherished her friends.
Finally her head appeared in the fireplace. 'Hermione, I'm so sorry! May I step through?'
'Yes, of course. Is everything all right?'
Ginny emerged from the fireplace and Vanished the ashes from her hair and clothing. 'Yes, everything's fine. I just lost track of time. The Harpies won a huge match against Puddlemere, and we were out celebrating. I came straight from the pub in Holyhead.'
'Did you play?' asked Hermione, trying not to feel hurt that Ginny had forgotten about her.
'No, I doubt I'll see any action this season. But we practice together all week, and when the Starters win it feels like a group accomplishment. And this was a big win—Puddlemere is in first place, and Routledge is considered the best Seeker in the league, or at least he was until Harry turned up.'
Hermione's feelings of resentment softened when Ginny mentioned Harry. 'Congratulations, and I'm glad you and your teammates celebrated. I've been to the Cracked Spyglass with Ryan, and I know it's easy to lose track of time.'
Ginny said, 'I know it's been weeks, but I still can't believe you're dating Ryan Bellamy. Are you two still getting on?'
'We are, except he's visiting family this weekend, and they're Muggles so I can't just turn up out of nowhere,' she said, with obvious frustration.
Ginny laughed out loud. 'And you're crawling the walls, poor thing! I must say, you were never like this when you and Ron were apart.'
'I think it's clear now that Ron and I weren't well suited to one another. I should really owl him my thanks for figuring it out.'
'And here we all thought you were the clever one,' smirked Ginny. 'Do you still want to go out to dinner?'
'Definitely. Muggle or magical?'
'Magical. I suspect people are still talking about the match, and I want to shamelessly eavesdrop.'
They decided to try a wizarding restaurant in York that Ryan had mentioned. Hermione knew she wouldn't see him there, but she liked the idea of at least being in the same city as him. It was agreeably crowded, and from their table they were able to hear plenty of chatter about the Harpies match.
'I never thought Hobbs would beat Routledge,' said a short, rotund wizard nearby, 'and it wasn't dumb luck either. It sounds like she outflew him, pure and simple. And she's clearly taken a play from Potter's book—she even tried that foul he invented, but Wood was ready for her.'
'That'll be something, when Hobbs and Potter face off next month in Holyhead. I tried to get tickets but it's been sold out for weeks,' said his companion.
'At Harpies Stadium? Great Merlin, those fans will eat Potter alive.'
The wizard laughed and said, 'Yes, the Holy Harpyheads ... they're as loyal as the Cannons fans, only ten times as vicious. Witches, you know.'
Hermione scowled at the sexist comment, but Ginny just laughed. 'He's right, actually. The Harpyheads are brilliant as far as the team is concerned, but they're known for terrorising our opponents. And yes, there's a decidedly female flavour to their methods.' She saw Hermione's expression and added, 'Don't look at me like that—you know what I'm talking about. Remember what you did to Umbridge?'
Ginny was referring to a particularly evil bit of revenge Hermione had exacted on Dolores Umbridge three years earlier, by provoking her to insult the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. 'Oh dear, not my finest moment,' said Hermione. 'Will Harry be all right?'
'Harry's survived far worse than the Harpyheads—I'm sure he'll be fine. And even if he loses, one or more witches will be very happy to console him.'
'You're not joking,' said Hermione. 'I still can't believe he's turned into such a ...' She trailed off.
'Manwhore?' suggested Ginny.
'I was going to say "womaniser,"' said Hermione. 'But is that what people are calling him?'
'I've heard it from some of my teammates, and the Harpyheads have started referring to him that way as well. I don't encourage it, but I have to admit it's entertaining.'
'The implication he's having sex for money?' exclaimed Hermione, shocked.
'No, not at all. It's just that he hops from bed to bed rather quickly. But I can't complain—he got over me faster than I expected. And at least it's added some variety to the constant stream of questions I get about him.'
'Is that still happening?' asked Hermione.
'More than ever. Now that everyone's heard I ended it, people are dying to know why.'
'What do you tell them?'
'Not the unvarnished truth, certainly. But a softer version of it—that we were very young and we'd grown apart. And I tell everyone what a good heart he has, and that we're still close friends.'
'That last bit's not quite true,' observed Hermione.
'No, but it will be, in time. You and Ron are fine now, right?'
'Yes, but we're not close. Maybe someday, but not yet.' She looked at Ginny and asked, 'What about you? Are you seeing anyone?'
Ginny blushed and said, 'Yes, but it's very new. And definitely not public yet.' She used her wand to raise a privacy ward. 'Do you remember Wendy?'
'Your teammate, from the party?'
Ginny nodded. 'We've become close since I joined the Harpies—she's also a reserve Chaser, so we're together all day. We'd been flirting for a while, but then last night after practice we cooked dinner together at her flat ...'
Hermione's eyes widened and she asked, 'Did you know you fancied women before this, or is she the first?'
'I've had crushes,' she admitted. 'And there were some broom cupboard adventures at Hogwarts. Not while Harry and I were together, but during the year you were in hiding. The atmosphere at Hogwarts was rather intense, seeing as we didn't know whether we might die the next day.'
'Do you consider yourself a lesbian?' asked Hermione. 'Forgive me, I haven't had many conversations along these lines. None, in fact.'
'I'd say I'm solidly bisexual. Which is pretty great, as far as I'm concerned—more options this way.'
'Will you be seeing Wendy again? Outside of practice, I mean.' Hermione remembered the Cannons' rule against fraternisation and added, 'Are you even allowed to date?'
'If you mean because we're teammates, the answer is yes. The Harpies don't have rules against in-team romance—apparently lesbians are better at getting along with their exes than male/female couples are.' She smiled and said, 'And yes, we're seeing each other tomorrow. We've plans to spend the day together.'
Hermione's face fell. 'If it weren't for me you'd be together right now! Next time feel free to cancel ... I'd understand.'
'No, it's fine. There's a lot to be said for anticipation, and we had a lovely time in a toilet cubicle at the pub this afternoon. It was very romantic, I can assure you.'
'No wonder you were late!'
'Guilty as charged,' admitted Ginny.
Over dinner they discussed a wide range of topics, from Ginny's experiences as a reserve Chaser to Hermione's concerns about working for the Ministry. 'I desperately want to improve relations among and within magical races, but I'm beginning to doubt whether that's possible working inside the system,' she said. 'Harry was right when he said I should have realised the ceremony we'd planned for the goblins was doomed to failure. But I couldn't see it until afterwards.'
'Why do you think that is?' asked Ginny. 'It's not like you to miss something that obvious.'
'Except for when Ron figured out we weren't suited to one another before I did. I'm starting to suspect I'm a good deal more oblivious than I previously realised.'
'I suppose it must hurt, being intellectually bested by both Ron and Harry,' joked Ginny.
'It does,' said Hermione, smiling. 'But neither situation involved intellect—they were both about instinct, or common sense. And in the case of the Ministry, I can see numerous times I ignored my common sense.'
'It's only fair that you make the occasional slip. Gives the rest of us a fighting chance.'
'The problem is I have no idea what to do next. I'd like to talk to Octavia about it, since I know she feels the same way I do, but I could use other guidance as well.' She sighed and added, 'This is where being Muggle-born is a serious handicap. I suppose most people would ask their parents for advice.'
'If I'd asked my father for advice I'd probably be spending my days making tea for my superiors in the Muggle Affairs department. Poor Arthur ... the only reason he's high up now is because blood traitors are finally on top. And you wouldn't believe what Percy advised last weekend at Sunday dinner.'
'Oh?'
Ginny did her best Percy imitation. '"Ginny, I know you're enjoying playing for the Harpies right now, although you're not actually playing yet, and Merlin only knows whether you'll get made starter. But you mustn't forget about your long-term career, and it's important to form alliances now, particularly in the current Light climate. And be sure to distance yourself from Harry ... he should never have antagonised the lords like that, and I'm certain he's making other enemies as well."'
Hermione was laughing and said, 'Percy's probably right, from where he's standing. But good heavens, he really has a narrow perspective.'
'And then there's Molly, who's still furious I let Harry get away. You should have seen her reaction when the Prophet printed those inflated figures for his assets. I'd never thought of her as mercenary, but she kept hinting I should give him another chance, and you could practically see her making plans to demolish the Burrow and replace it with something a bit more swish.'
'No!'
'Oh yes. She read the part where Helena has reddish hair and insisted that it meant he's still pining for me. I told her that if he was pining for a ginger it was probably his own mother, and that maybe she should make a play for him instead.'
Hermione laughed even harder. 'Oh my god ... did she curse you?'
'No, she just blushed and muttered something about how she'd never leave my father.'
'Are you going to tell her about Wendy anytime soon?'
'Good question. I'd like to bring her to Sunday dinner sometime, just to prove to her I'm not making everything up. In fact, I might drag her along as a "friend" just to see how long it takes Mum to figure things out. She still keeps asking Charlie whether he's met any nice witches in Romania.'
'Is he gay, then?'
'As far as I can tell he's not interested in anyone that way, and never has been. I suppose it all evens out, with me being bisexual.'
'That sounds lonely,' said Hermione.
'Actually, I don't think he's lonely. He has good mates and plenty of hobbies, and he loves working with dragons. I think that's just how he is. And he'll eventually have any number of nieces and nephews.' She paused and said, 'But back to your career ... you might talk to Bill. He certainly has a different perspective.'
'That's a good point. I'll mention it next time I see him.'
They finished their meals and lingered over coffee. 'Do you have any interesting plans tomorrow?' asked Ginny. 'I know they'll be tragically Ryan-free, and it seems Harry's in Paris, astonishingly enough, but surely you have other resources.'
'I do, yes. You won't believe it, but tomorrow morning I'm going to a fitness class at the nearby leisure centre.'
'I'm not certain I understood any of those words the way you assembled them. What's a fitness class? Certainly you don't read books and write essays about fitness. Or do you? And what's a leisure centre?'
Hermione explained, and Ginny was both amused and fascinated. 'Are you saying you sit in a room together on bicycles that don't go anywhere and someone shouts at you the entire time? For leisure?'
'No, for exercise. I'm certain you've noticed how idle most wizards are.'
'I have, and I'm terrified of my mother's example. I've seen photographs from when she was my age, and she's no bigger than I am. I don't know if it was popping out seven kids that wrecked her figure or too many labour-saving charms, but I refuse to let that happen to me.'
'It's not likely while you're on the Harpies, if your routine is similar to Ryan's.'
'No, certainly not. And you're clever to establish good habits now—I'll have to go to one of those bicycle classes with you sometime.' Ginny smirked and added, 'Do you think it'll matter that I've never ridden a bicycle before?'
'You'll be fine; the stationary bikes can't fall down.'
'Surely that's not all you're doing tomorrow,' persisted Ginny.
'No, but I'm nervous about the next bit ... I'm seeing my grandparents.'
Ginny was silent a moment before asking, 'When did you see them last?'
'Not since before Voldemort came back,' she admitted. 'Nearly six years ago.'
'And what do they know about your life?'
'Not much, and I think they assume the worst.' Hermione explained how her grandparents probably suspected she'd dropped out of school and might even be a drug addict.
Ginny was shocked. 'You were Head Girl and awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, and they think you're the Muggle equivalent of a thrall?'
'I'm afraid so. But the good news is we've a plan to fix it.' She described the cover story she and her parents had devised with Ryan's help, that they'd been estranged for several years but she'd landed on her feet and was attending one of the lesser colleges in Cambridge.
'I can't say I like that story very much,' scowled Ginny. 'You're a bloody hero and a role model, and you deserve to hear your grandparents praise you to the skies.'
Hermione shrugged. 'It doesn't matter what I deserve. This is how it is, and it's certainly better than no relationship at all. So that's my afternoon, but the good news is I'll see Ryan tomorrow night. His parents are taking the train home, but as soon as they're out of sight of his relations, Ryan can just Apparate.'
'That's good,' said Ginny, and with a sly grin she added, 'But don't wear yourself out first on that bicycle to nowhere.'
The next morning Hermione worked hard in class, and she was pleasantly knackered when she returned home, but she was more than fit to visit her grandparents that afternoon. She kept changing into different outfits beforehand and repeatedly asked her mother if she looked all right.
'Hermione, you look lovely,' Emily reassured her. 'Nan's overjoyed you're coming to visit, and nothing you've shown me is likely to draw criticism from her.'
'You admit it!' said Hermione. 'That she's hypercritical.'
'Towards me, yes. But it's different with grandchildren, or so I'm told. She doesn't identify with you the same way she did with me as her only daughter.'
'Do you identify with me that way?' asked Hermione.
'When you were younger, probably, although not as much since we learnt you were magical. But there's no question I wanted to avoid the mistakes I felt Nan had made with me, and that I used you as a proxy.'
'What mistakes?'
'She was very controlling. She insisted I be home at a certain hour, with no exceptions. I wasn't allowed nearly as much independence as my mates.'
Hermione couldn't help drawing parallels to her own childhood. 'And so you gave me a long lead. You allowed me to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas holidays, and so forth.'
'I didn't want you to feel trapped at home just to make other people happy.'
'You and Dad, you mean?'
Emily nodded. 'I certainly knew how that felt. I didn't want to put you through it.'
'And what did Nan have to say, when I didn't turn up for Christmas year after year?'
'She's no fool—she could see what I was doing. She'd say, "You're letting her walk all over you, just so you don't make the same mistakes I did. But you'll make your own mistakes, just like every other parent."'
'Mum, I'm so sorry ... she'll think she was right, and that it's your fault we were estranged.'
'I'll survive,' said Emily. 'Certainly you've paid a high price as well, in different ways.' Hermione knew her mother was referring to how she'd been tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange, and they both looked at the floor. 'But all the outfits you've shown me are lovely, and I know she'll approve of your hair now.'
'I'll wear the skirt and blue jumper,' declared Hermione, before turning away to change so her mother wouldn't have to see her scars.
They drove together for an hour to where Emily's parents lived, and Hermione took a deep breath before getting out of the car. She knew that Nan would be harder on Emily, and she anticipated feeling bad about that as well. It's not your fault, she tried telling herself. It's Voldemort's fault, and the price I pay for being magical.
Her grandparents no longer lived in the house where Emily had grown up, where Hermione had last seen them, but were instead living in a semi-detached bungalow near the town centre. They approached the front door and Daniel pressed the doorbell.
Hermione heard sharp footsteps, and she was momentarily reminded of Harry's Aunt Petunia. But the woman who opened the door was much softer-looking, with straight grey hair trimmed stylishly to her jaw.
'There she is,' exclaimed Nan. 'Hermione, come in. I didn't think you'd make it.' She turned around and called, 'Richard, they're here. All of them.'
They stepped inside and Nan hugged Hermione before backing away from her. 'Let me look at you. Oh, darling, you're so pretty! Richard, look at her!'
Hermione's grandfather had arrived, looking more stooped than Hermione remembered him. 'Hermione, darling, give us a hug,' he exclaimed, opening his arms.
'Grandpa, I'm so glad to see you,' said Hermione, feeling tears at her eyes. 'I've missed you so much.'
'We missed you too, sweetheart, but now you're here,' he said. 'We missed you too.'
Nan and Grandpa greeted Emily and Daniel, and they proceeded to the lounge.
'I love what you've done with your hair,' said Nan. 'It used to be so unruly—Emily never knew what to do with it. But clearly you've worked it out.'
'I can hardly blame Mum,' said Hermione. 'Her hair is just like yours. Mine came from Dad, and he wears his short.'
'It certainly looks nice now, and your teeth as well,' continued Nan. 'You used to have terrible buck teeth—I couldn't understand why your parents didn't fix them as soon as they grew in.'
'We're dentists, Mum, not orthodontists,' said Emily. 'And they don't normally recommend braces until a child is older.'
'I'm glad you managed to get them on her before she ran off,' said Nan. 'How old were you when you moved out?'
'I started boarding school just before my twelfth birthday, but the last summer I lived at home was when I was sixteen.'
Nan shook her head in disapproval. 'Sixteen. So young. And now you're almost twenty and at university?'
'Yes, I'm about to start my second year.'
'I could hardly believe it when Emily told me—we'd written you off. Which one are you attending? I forgot to ask.'
'I'm at Tufton College, at the University of Cambridge.'
'Tufton? I've never heard of that one.' She turned to Emily and said, 'When she was little she wanted to go to Kings College, or maybe Trinity—she had a notebook about them and everything. But I suppose she had to fend for herself.'
'Yes, Mum. I know it isn't what she planned, but we're very proud of how well she managed on her own.'
'And how are you doing, Hermione?' asked Grandpa. 'Are you happy there? Do you enjoy your studies?'
'Yes, I love Cambridge. And I have wonderful friends there.'
'Who did you live with all those years?' asked Nan. 'Your mum wouldn't say.'
'I'd rather not talk about that,' said Hermione. She and her parents had agreed on deliberate vagueness, to avoid having to tell too many lies. 'Suffice it to say I've been home this summer and it's gone really well.'
'All summer?' exclaimed Nan. 'And we're only seeing you now? Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's wonderful to see you, and doing so well.'
'We wanted things to settle a bit before telling the family,' said Emily. 'But we agreed a few weeks ago that it was time.'
Nan and Grandpa looked expectantly at Hermione, as if she were likely to contradict her mother. 'That's right. But things are good now, and I can hardly remember why I wanted to leave. I think I just needed to grow up first.'
'She's very independent,' said Daniel. 'And she's every bit as brilliant as the little girl you remember.'
Hermione blushed. 'I know Tufton isn't the most prestigious college, but I no longer believe that learning is restricted to the classroom.'
'That's right, dear,' said her grandfather. 'It's been decades since I was in school, but I'm always learning something new.'
The conversation continued along a similar vein for the next hour and a half. Hermione's grandparents prodded her about her life and praised her accomplishments, and Nan occasionally jabbed at Emily for one reason or another. She also referred to Hermione's cousins, who were attending more impressive universities than she was.
'Jenny's at Bristol, you know. But you've turned out so pretty. Do you have a boyfriend?'
'Yes, his name's Ryan.'
'He's a lovely young man,' said Emily. 'They met in Cambridge earlier this summer.'
'I thought you were at your parents' house this summer,' said Nan.
Emily shot Hermione a quick glance and twitched her fingers as if she were holding a wand. But Hermione shook her head slightly and said, 'We met in Cambridge when I was there for a weekend, but he's been working in London all summer, so we've been able to spend time together. And he'll be back in Cambridge next month, which means we'll be in the same place.'
'Is he also a student?' asked her grandfather.
'No, he graduated two years ago and works for a think tank in Cambridge. They're the ones who sent him to London on assignment.'
'And which college did he attend?'
'He didn't attend the University of Cambridge—he attended Durham University.'
'Oh! That's good,' said Nan. 'Will we meet him sometime?'
'I'd be delighted to introduce you,' said Hermione sincerely. 'I'm certain you'll like him.'
Their visit was wrapping up, and soon everyone rose to say goodbye. 'You've certainly exceeded our expectations, Hermione,' said Nan. 'But I should have known you'd manage, considering how clever you always were. I only wish you'd known you could have come here, particularly when your parents scarpered to Australia. I can't say I'll ever understand what that was all about.'
'Thank you, Nan. But I think I needed a clean break for several years. It was hard, but it's turned out better than I could have hoped.'
They hugged one another, and Hermione and her parents were soon in the car on the way home.
'Mum, are you all right?' she asked. 'I felt terrible for you—the things she said.'
'I got through it,' said Emily. 'I'll be fine.'
'You did such a good job, Hermione,' said Daniel. 'And nice save on how you met Ryan. I think your mum wanted you to use a Memory Charm on her.'
'Sad to say, I've learnt to think on my feet,' said Hermione. 'I'm so sorry you and Mum were my usual audience.'
Emily sighed heavily. 'What's done is done, and you've more than made up for it. But Daniel, I think I'll need some whisky when we get home. Possibly all the Scottish islands.'
'I could use some myself,' said Hermione.
She gave Emily a long hug when they arrived home. 'Thanks so much, Mum. I know how hard that was for you.'
'No, sweetheart, you probably don't. But I made different mistakes with you, and you know how hard those were.'
'You didn't make mistakes. I made mistakes, and we had difficult circumstances.'
'We did. But I have you back.' She squeezed her daughter again and started to cry. 'Oh, Hermione, my baby. I can't believe we have you back. I missed you so much.'
Hermione wasn't able to fully relax until she was with Ryan again. 'It was awful,' she said. 'And good too. My grandfather is an absolute darling, he was just happy to see me and didn't have a single harsh word. And they want to meet you.'
'I'd be glad to,' he said. 'And I'm certain they'll like me—I have a very good cover story.'
'How was your visit with your cousins?'
'It was good, but I missed you. Next time you'll have to accompany me.'
'To prove I exist?'
'Yes, and so they can see for themselves how amazing you are.'
'You mean that I'm at some obscure college and will end up in some nondescript career, just to blend in?'
'Hermione! Are you sure you're all right?'
'No, I'm not all right. I was supposed to be a high achiever and attend Kings College and have an amazing career writing books or crafting legislation or discovering cures, but instead I'm a brainless functionary at the Ministry of Magic who can't even bribe goblins without starting a war.'
'Slow down a moment ... did you start a war on Friday?'
'No, Harry prevented it. He realised what an incendiary disaster our ceremony was and took matters into his own hands. I must say, he's more astute than I usually give him credit for.' She explained to Ryan what had happened, and her fears that she mightn't be suited to a career at the Ministry.
'But what else is there?' she asked. 'I remember when I met your mother and I said the Ministry could use people like her, and she scoffed and said it was no place for anyone with a backbone. She was right, but I don't know what else I should be doing. Your mum is terrific, but I can't say I want to be a solitary toiler for the rest of my life.'
'I definitely don't recommend following my mother's career path. I think she's a solitary toiler because she can't hold her tongue when she ought to.'
'Are you saying I need to stay where I am and just bite my tongue?'
'No, of course not. But there's a broad spectrum between being a brainless functionary—which I'm certain you're not—and being a lone eccentric like Lucinda.'
'But she's brilliant,' said Hermione.
'And so are you. And unlike my mother, you know how to get along with other people. Look at how much you've accomplished in a team already. And I don't mean the Ministry—I mean with Harry and Ron.'
'We made a lot of mistakes too. I've never told you about the battle inside the Department of Mysteries. Which, sad to say, is probably the only Ministry department I might actually be suited to, except that I never want to set foot in there again.'
His arm was already around her, but he began stroking her hair. 'You don't need to make a decision tonight. We should just enjoy being together, and you can talk to people this week, and over the weeks to come.'
'You're right. I just keep thinking about all my potential, and how I'm wasting it. Just like my grandmother said.'
'No offence, but your grandmother only knows what you've told her, and hardly any of that was true. If she knew what you'd actually accomplished, and what you've yet to achieve, she'd be in awe. I know I am.'
'And what about my magic? Even if I find some way to craft better laws, I won't be using my magic for anything more than charming my hair.'
'Or uncharming it,' he suggested, with a gleam in his eye. 'I haven't seen the seventies version for at least a week.'
She smiled and raised her wand. 'Finite incantatem.'
'There it is,' said Ryan approvingly. 'Oh Hermione, you're so beautiful.'
She groaned and said, 'My grandmother kept praising me for being pretty, as if that were some great accomplishment. "Jenny reads maths at Bristol, but at least you have nice teeth now." And then she asked whether I had a boyfriend. Merlin help us when she sees how good-looking you are!'
'Ahem, that'll be three sickles,' he said, referring to her use of wizarding slang. She stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed. 'I must say, I'm enjoying seeing you in a temper, but I don't get the impression you're having much fun. Do I need to carry you into the bedroom and play Suede at top volume?'
'That's a good idea. Come on, what are you waiting for?'
He laughed and pulled her into his arms. 'Grab the CD,' he said, kneeling in front of the stereo cabinet.
'Is music your cure for everything?' she asked.
'Yes. It's been scientifically proven,' he said, carrying her through the doorway into his bedroom.
'Did your mother discover that?'
'Please don't bring up my mother right now. I should probably charge you another three sickles for that.'
There was no further mention of Ryan's mother or Hermione's grandmother. Afterwards, as she lay in Ryan's bed listening to music, Hermione realised she'd fallen into her old habit of over-thinking, and that perhaps solutions weren't always discovered through careful planning.
I didn't meet Ryan through planning, she thought. But I planned which university I was to attend, and Ron's and my life together, and a million other things that never came to pass.
She resolved not to plan her career, at least not for the present. She curled into Ryan and thought, Not planning has been brilliant. I should do more of it.