Chapter 3

The kettle shrieked with billows of steam, signaling that it was ready for tea on a chilly afternoon. It was still raining in February, so on a quiet weekend Hermione opened a few envelopes from the owl that had arrived this morning. The tour information he was reading indicated he wanted to take some unused vacation for 4 years. As the workload in her legal department has grown, she feels she has the right to get out of the way for a bit from the hectic days of being in England these days.

The visit to her parents' house on Saturday was not so good. Her parents were no longer warm, especially after they found out that their son had ruined their minds, even for the best of reasons. The only visit to fulfill what Hermione thought was a concern, although her parents didn't expect her at all, it made her cry for 2 hours when she got home.

The brochure he was holding depicted a huge cathedral castle, which read:

The best magic opera of the year!

The Royal Opera will take place at the Glasgow Theater House with 150 of the best contemporary artists! Get a tour around the city and magical places throughout Glasgow, and indulge yourself in a sense of hospitality for only 15 galleons / 1 week.

Order: send the Owl in the format provided to Mercy Shawn.

As far as she could tell, Glasgow was beautiful, and had a large wizarding community among the muggle world. Going there would be great fun, but a joint tour attended by many people in one group is not the best option for self-healing. Hermione moved to writing to book tickets for the Royal Opera without having to tour together and send her owl.

As usual in the morning, Hermione was sipping coffee in a muggle cafe with her journal reading before heading off to the ministry, her eyes squinting through every line she challenged to give her an adrenaline rush this morning. In vain, nothing interesting, looks like it will be a quiet day. As she lifted her head, trying to quickly pack up, her eyes were perfectly round when he saw a woman standing in front of her desk and staring at her.

"Granger.."

"What.. What?" Hermione was at a loss for words, confused by the person in front of her.

"Could… Umm… We talk?"

"Yes, Parkinson."

Those dark black eyes stared at Hermione with a look that was far from the ridicule she used to give when she was a Hogwarts student. Pansy Parkinson sat across from her awkwardly, and Hermione was still staring at her in disbelief. The girl who has a sharp tongue now looks more mature with her long straight hair (formerly still using a bob cut).

"How are you, Granger?" Her question ended the awkwardness that soared in the air.

"I'm very good. Is something wrong, Parkinson?" Hermione knew this was rude, but she couldn't take it anymore.

"Yeah, you know, it's been almost 6 years we haven't seen each other in person."

"Yeah, it's been a long time. Where have you had Parkinson's? I mean, we barely see each other." It's like a conversation with an old friend, no, Pansy was never even her theme. Pansy is her loyal bully.

"I decided to leave England, there was no friendly place for me. I've been in France, together with my relatives who hid me, or rather.. Accommodating my escape."

Pansy told her too much when they had only been talking for two minutes!

"Do you often visit here? You know, this is a muggle settlement."

"Yeah, I've been watching you for almost two weeks from that table over there in the corner." Pansy said so easily and nonchalantly, Hermione felt her throat getting dry.

"That's a bit scary. So now tell me what you want to say?"

"Well, I can't make small talk anymore. Granger, we know if we never had a good enough relationship, I was in the past as arrogant and out of control. I'm sorry for all that. Now there's nothing more I can do that I can ridicule you, even though my family is completely untouched by the sign of darkness, my father still has close ties to other death eaters, and I won't deny he's also a You-Know-Who supporter. I apologize for what I have done to you and your friends."

Hermione was silent, absorbing all of this shocking confession. She couldn't believe what she was hearing at all, and Pansy said it so easily.

"Yeah, yeah, you know it's all over now. I have no reason why I don't forgive you. We're old enough to deal with this."

"Oh, Granger. I didn't think it would be this easy!" Pansy almost screamed. "In a week I even made up a million sad sentences so you would have pity on me. This is absolutely ridiculous!"

Hermione chuckled . "Come on, Parkinson. Sad fiction in the morning is a tough way to start the day."

"I still can't believe it's so easy, can I treat you?"

"It's almost 9 am, I think next time will be a good time, because I have to go to work of course."

"Okay, tomorrow morning can we meet here?"

"Wow, what a fast pace, but I'll be here every day. Alright, goodbye."

This morning's sweet farewell to a former enemy during school was unexpected and had been on Hermione's mind all afternoon. Her face was bright at work, as if she had made new friends after she had been in a long-distance friendship with Ginny. Several times she sent letters just to quell boredom and loneliness. Hermione didn't have many friends, with Harry being busy every day, and Ron always going overseas to market her products, she had more time to herself and that sometimes made her tired for no reason. Something quite odd this morning made her think Ginny would scream if she found out, but she didn't have anything to discuss with Ginny, so she decided he'd tell her by letter after work.

"Miss Granger, you are waiting for Mr. Potter at…"

"Why is he here, Martha?"

"He just wanted to see you, Miss."

Hermione rushed out of the room, and saw green eyes staring at her with a smile.

"Hermione, are you busy?"

"I don't…"

"Nice time to have lunch together!"

"You're so kind, hold on a minute Harry!"

They walked hand in hand along the ministry hall and headed for the nearest cafeteria from Hermione's occupied floor. Harry ordered both roast beef with potatoes and pudding for dessert.

"Don't you have any errands to go out, Harry?"

"Not for today, no alarm sounds, looks like Merlin is overshadowing our world."

"Is this an expression of exhaustion from Mr. Harry Potter?" Hermione teased while giggling .

"No really, yeah sometimes I get tired of some work here, but I don't work alone do I, and I'm in a very good position so far. I just love doing this. How about you?"

"I'm fine, just like you! Merlin is overshadowing the world. But… this morning something surprised me, and I'm sure you will too!"

Harry swallowed his food and took a sip of water, "what's that about?"

"I saw Pansy Parkinson this morning."

"Who... Pansy? Slytherin in our year?"

"Yes, that is true. She, she apologized to me and she mentioned my friends and I'm sure it was about you and Ron."

"Amazing bullshit." Harry looked unconcerned but his brain was deep in thought.

"Harry, I find it very sincere. Although satire can't escape her, she told me that she's been hiding all this time."

"I think she's just going to visit Malfoy, her boyfriend who just got free."

"I didn't think so, but she said she watches me at the cafe almost every day and we have another appointment…"

"Hermione, don't you think that Parkinson's just wants to make a profit?"

"Profit?"

"Yes, she has nothing but peace to offer. She wants to be accepted again in society."

"And everyone does that right? Why are you so judgmental?"

"You got a lot of humiliation at Hogwarts, don't forget that."

"And it's none of your business with whom I will forgive my pardon!" Hermione stood up and drank some water, "Nice lunch, Harry, but I have to get back. Thank you."