Chapter Three
Hermione sat nursing a cup of firewhisky at the table in the Ministry Common Room even though it was still afternoon. She was depressed.
The potion that malfunctioned had caused a lot of trouble that Saturday and it still didn’t look like she would be making headway on an improved version in the nearest future. Everywhere she had turned since she had gone in to work that morning had met a dead-end. This was coupled with the injured people who had to be taken to the main hospital, and her recent breakup.
Sometimes, she asked herself if there was anything wrong with her. Even Laura could keep a steady boyfriend if she wanted to, which she didn’t.
She was so engrossed in her drink that she didn’t notice Harry come up to her and take the seat beside her.
“Hey Hermione,” Harry said, startling her back to reality.
“Hey, I thought you had the week off.” Hermione replied.
“Yeah, but then I thought it would be too boring to stay in that big apartment all alone. So, here I am.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” Hermione smiled.
Harry smiled back and then frowned at the drink in her drink.
“Isn’t it a bit early to drink?” he nodded to the drink in her hand.
“Probably, but I figured I deserved a respite at least.” She sighed. “I’ve been sitting here mooning about my life and how jumbled it is right now.”
“Really?” Harry raised a speculative eyebrow. “So where did you get the drink?”
“Laura.” Hermione replied. “I couldn’t bring myself to swallow past a gulp though, and I’ve been sitting here staring into nothing ever since.”
“Whoa,” Harry said, smiling and prying the drink out of her hands. “If I knew you were so bored, I’d have taken you to a party every single night.”
“Really? I wouldn’t mind that at all.”
“All settled, then.” Harry stood up to get a cup of tea and a muffin. “How’s the potion coming along?”
“It is not coming at all. Just thinking about all that wasted work makes me want to drink.” She pulled the drink from Harry’s side of the table and took a large gulp.
She dropped it and started to cough.
Harry was by her side in a second with a glass of water. “I’d say I told you so, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. “ He told her as she finally stopped coughing.
“It was too hot.” Hermione tried to excuse herself.
“Firewhisky is hot; everyone with a brain knows that.” Harry said, with a fake-stern look.
“Don’t insult me.” Hermione replied in the same vein standing up shakily and facing Harry, “I’ll have what you’re having.”
Harry raised the annoying eyebrow again, “Are you sure you can handle it?” He waggled it suggestively.
Hermione swatted his arm, “Why do you guys think dirty almost all the time?”
Harry smiled and turned back to the table to start making tea for both of them. “We do that because there’s nothing else to do.”
Hermione took the couch and waited for Harry. A few minutes later, he handed her a cup of hot tea and a muffin.
She took a sip and reclined, “I think I’ll stay here forever.”
