Harry Potter and the Necessary Sequel- Chapter 1

Please read intro here

REUNION

It was just another sultry afternoon in June. Summer was potent in the air and the scorching sun illuminated a rather haphazardly planned row of apartments on a shoddy street in Britain. The street was silent from the absence of the usual pedestrians. The heavy silence and the heavy air were disturbed by the sudden appearance of a woman. Dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a smart blouse, the only thing eccentric about her otherwise spotless and prim attire was a crimson cloak covering her face and a mahogany twelve-inch long stick held out before her.

Hermione Granger walked up to the row of unkempt houses before her and with her wand held out whispered “Ronald Bilius Weasley, No. 23 ½ Beatrix Bloxam Lane. As though by magic, an extra apartment squeezed in the middle of two flats, number 23 and 24. They drifted apart casually without registering the slightest interference in the activities of its occupants. Hermione looked up and down Ron’s apartment making a few unconscious comparisons with her own newly acquired house. Hers was in a neighborhood that was a lot more pleasant and functional than Beatrix Bloxam Lane, but then this location was probably chosen keeping Ron’s safety in mind, especially during the war. On a personal note of course, Hermione had never known Ron Weasley to fuss over cleanliness or personal hygiene.

Taking brisk strides, she walked up to the steps leading to an old, oak door with the green paint peeling off at corners. She knocked politely, waiting for a reply, but none came. Hermione glanced anxiously at the roof of the apartment, checking for a sign… there was nothing but a heavy cloud. The Alohomora charm was just on her lips.

“Who is it?” demanded a voice from within.

“It’s me Ron- Hermione… Hermione Jean Granger”, she replied with some confidence.

The question was asked- “What did I give you for Christmas umm... four years back?”

Almost immediately came Hermione’s crisp reply- “A rather tiny but effective bottle of Madame Zuleika’s perfume collection”.

She could visualize Ron’s ears going red under the flame of his red hair. She smiled to herself before she asked- “Who would have been selected for the Griffindor Quidditch team instead of you, had I not confunded them?”

“It’s definitely you then. Nobody except Fred and George perhaps, gets as much pleasure of making an arse of me like this!” exclaimed the muffled voice angrily.

“Well then, before I get jinxed at your doorstep, answer the question Ronald!”

The door suddenly swung open and Hermione instinctively raised her wand.

“McLaggen - Mclaggen alright? Blimey lower you wand before I confund you!” barked Ron.

Hermione hadn’t seen either of Harry or Ron for several months. It had taken her a while searching for an apartment that was relatively close to The Burrow and not very far from her own parents in Wakefield. She had wondered what Ron would be like now that he was a Trainee Auror. It was more difficult to be in touch with Harry since he was strong on the hunt for Horcruxes and spent most of his time hiding. Presently, Ron mimicked a ‘welcome’ gesture at the door and she walked in. It was worse than she could scarcely imagine and looked as if it had never been cleaned. Thick layers of dust on everything… dust on the mouldy carpet, on the stray pile of books, on the tumble of old cloaks and hats. Pigwidgeon’s cage looked as if it was flooded with droppings, and evidently the little occupant was missing. Hermione could not suppress a large shudder that passed through her, and looked up at Ron’s worn out face next to her.

“Of course it’s been a while since I cleaned up. Hardly have the time to come home and sleep, but I’ll take care of it, it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be. You’re still in touch with Dobby right? Actually any house-elf would do, it would only take one night to clear this up, if you could lend me an elf” Ron said slyly, completely aware of the reaction his words would invoke.

He watched Hermione swing around on her feet; draw herself up to her fullest height.

“You will do no such thing. I am willing to personally help you clean out this rubbish, but I will not have you mock me or my job!” she screamed.

“Well YOU started it with the questions. And it’s really beyond me what you’re doing anyway. NO ONE gives a bloody duck about house- elves during the war. Who knows they might even survive it coz’ no one cares” Ron finished with a derisive snort.

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, when she suddenly stopped at the sight of him. Ron looked as tall and lanky as she had last seen him with the same freckles, but somehow stronger and more powerful. Even though he was as old as her, eighteen, he looked more attractive, manly and very much similar to Bill Weasley, his eldest brother, without the horrible scars of course….

His bright red hair fell onto his forehead as though he hadn’t bothered for a trim, and she thought his clothes looked a little shabby, nevertheless appealing. She could see his sinewy freckled forearms, through the thin white sleeves. Hermione wanted to run her fingers through his hair and touch his cheek.

She might have stared impolitely for too long, as Ron looked startled and said- “Whoa! Stop looking at me like that. I’m sorry if all this is below your expectations! I didn’t have the time get any home improvements done and I’m fully aware that I look as pathetic as Snape-without-shampoo!”

“No… actually, you look… umm… good”, Hermione finished vaguely, going crimson. Ron looked surprised and pleased. He flashed a dazzling, sheepish smile, and looked thoroughly like the ‘Ronald Weasley’ she previously knew… a warm feeling rushed through her insides. She knew that she looked considerably redder than before.

“Well, it’s been a while since we last met, hasn’t it? Have you got your own place yet?”

Ron levitated a chair and Hermione sat at the living room, which was furnished with Ron’s broom on a stand at the corner, and some strange objects and books on the mantle-piece. This room was relatively cleaner than most of the apartment.

“It’s not much, and I hardly stay. We have to work day and night, they’re real trolls at the Auror Training… don’t give you a moment’s peace… can’t complain with the war and everything” said Ron sadly.

“But it’s what you’ve always wanted. And they’re already paying you with the bonuses… I read in the Prophet last week… they want more Aurors” said Hermione.

“I heard about you of course- Hermione Granger: The founder of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Your article in the Prophet was stirring… all that passion for those pathetic gits! Those elves probably don’t even know that there’s an angel working for their… ah… emancipation” Ron said, snorting with exaggeration.

Hermione tossed her hair proudly and said “It’s something noble that a “pathetic GIT” such as you wouldn’t understand. Anyway… have you had any news of Harry?”

Harry it seemed was in Estonia, finding the fourth Horcrux, believed to be the cup of Hufflepuff. He had met with some relatives of an old, dead witch, Hepzibah Smith who had last possessed the cup. Ron was in touch with Harry through the pair of enchanted mirrors, one of which Sirius had gifted Harry, and the other was found in Grimmauld Place. But Ron had tried to contact him for more than a week, without a reply. And that was why he had written to Hermione, requesting a visit if she wasn’t busy.

“That must mean that he’s found it, or at least close to finding it. I just hope he’ll be okay. It really is unfair not letting us go with him” Hermione said.

“Oh no… I talked to him about that, pestered him actually. I’m following up with the next horcrux once the first semester of training is over. We’re getting a break of two weeks and it sounded good enough. To be honest, Harry seemed quite glad to have me around. Must be a nightmare digging up Voldemort’s souls”.

“You’re saying his name right, are you… well good. That should really be the first step in Auror training- Please repeat after me… Vol-de-mort” finished Hermione laughing.

They had some tea and fruit cake and recollected some old memories. They discussed her plans with SPEW but the topic was soon abandoned as it led to more confrontation. It felt great to be together again. Hermione noticed Ron looking at her more often than required, or was it just her imagination. She had indeed lost some weight and cut her hair. Her muggle cousin in Texas had sent her mascara, which she now liberally applied wherever she went. Ginny, Ron’s younger sister had found it irresistible and written to Hermione’s cousin for one for herself. There was something different about the way Ron and Hermione talked that evening. It was no longer about Hogwart’s teachers or lessons, but about their careers, family and recent dementors attacks… and from the way Ron conversed with her, mature and aware, instead of with the usual frivolity, she knew that they had finally grown up…

Read Chapter 2: Trio Once More here .