Run Away, Far Away (A Dramione Fan Fiction)

Chapter 5: Back to Square One

Author's Note: Hello everyone! Thanks for waiting for this update! Please leave a review, vote, like, etc. I would really appreciate it. Thank you. (I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING RELATED TO IT)

Run Away, Far Away

Chapter 5: Back to Square One

The weather here in Edmond is absolutely fantastic. Compared to Brighton, which always brings gloomy skies and occasionally rains on a daily basis, Edmond welcomes my mornings with a delightfully sunny sky. The nights here are cooler compared to daytime but I guess it's just another excuse to warm myself up with a cup of tea as I go over the Muggle novels I've missed for the past few years. My ideal night consists of being alone on my couch, flipping through Mitch Albom's works, and scorching my tongue with chamomile tea. So far, I am enjoying being away from my former life.

My first week in my new house was better than I expected. The neighborhood where I was situated wasn't very busy unlike in my own place in Brighton and my neighbors are quite nice and tolerable. On Monday, while I was moving my belongings from their designated boxes, I heard a knock coming from the front door.

"Coming!" I called out as I jogged my way from the living room to the entrance. When I opened it, a fresh face greeted me. Standing in my doorstep was a lady with straight dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. The area around her nose was also peppered with tiny freckles. "Hi," I said. "Can I help you?"

"Hello, I'm Aira Colorado." She stuck her hand out for me to shake while giving me a warm smile. "I live just across the street. I saw a car drive here a few hours ago and I wanted to greet you, new neighbor."

I offered for her to have a drink inside which she immediately accepted. "I'm Hermione, by the way. Hermione Granger," I introduced myself before fetching a cup of coffee from my kitchen. When I came back, I saw her looking over the frames I already put up on top of the fireplace. I tapped her shoulder, gave her the cup, and received a thanks from her.

"This used to belong to my fiancé's grandfather before he passed away. It's been a while since someone inhabited it," she said as she walked around the living room. "How are you finding Edmond so far?"

"Well, I haven't got a chance to stroll around yet. I just moved in this morning, after all," I said this while picking up a huge box I was planning to empty on the coffee table. It was quite heavy so Aira placed her cup down to help me heave it up. "Thank you," I said.

"Where are you from, by the way? Your accent says you're not from around here."

We both giggled before I answered. "I was originally from Brighton."

"Why the sudden move?" she asked.

I know her well intentions to know me. But when she asked that question, I felt a shiver run down my spine. I turned around to wipe the invisible dust on the frames but in truth, I didn't want her to see my dreaded expression. I moved because my best friend, whom I loved since forever, ran away on our wedding day. I didn't have the guts to stay at my old place because he reminds me of everything we've been through. "Uhm..." I started. "I guess to have a breath of fresh air. All those greener pastures and stuff they say," I almost joked. I heard her laugh behind me. I turned to see her wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Well, Edmond is a good place to start. I have a friend who says the same thing." After that we had a bit of a chat about the neighborhood, about our jobs (I told her I was a resigned journalist), and family. She stayed there for about half an hour just having casual conversation with me and occasionally helping me move my things around. By eight o' clock, she said her good bye since she was starting work.

"It's nice to meet you, Aira," I told her while I was walking her back to the front door.

She returned it with a smile and said, "So were you. Listen, if you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to knock on my door. I will always be willing to help. By the way, if you're interested, we could have dinner at my place next Saturday. My parents are visiting and it would be nice to hang out with you."

"I'll inform you if I could make it," I said. "Although, I'm pretty sure I will." Then, she drove off of my driveway.

The following days were spent with me roaming around the streets of the new neighborhood. I've visited the places that Aira suggested to me for sightseeing. And of course, the local library was on my itinerary. Edmond's collection of written works aren't as grand as Brighton's. The public library was rather small and was rather far from where I was staying so I decided to just purchase books for my own.

As Saturday came, I found myself ultimately bored and the money on my wallet significantly less. My parents helped me start this new life and besides the money I've saved from the past years, they provided me with financial help as well. However, I cannot rely solely on my own savings and my parents. I am fully able and I should definitely find a job. So, I dedicated this Saturday night to search for a suitable occupation that will proved food for my own table.

I wanted to start with something small and simple. Even if I wanted to have a profession, I deem it almost impossible judging by my lack of Muggle educational attainments. I moved to Hogwarts before I could even start sixth grade. I took summer classes when I was younger but I know those weren't going to be enough. I would either go to Muggle school again or start with a simple work. As much as I wanted to be a lawyer, that would simply not do.

"Let's see," I muttered to myself as I pick up the local newspaper for job listings. There were a couple of openings for hardware store assistants a few miles from where I live but I'm a bit hesitant to call since I'm a bit certain that the pay wouldn't be enough. The nearby hospital are looking for window cleaners. I crossed that one out. I am terribly afraid of heights. The local publisher is looking for editors and copy readers. I have a sufficient knowledge in the English grammar. I might as well get in touch with these folks. Some salons are looking for new hairdressers. I chortled at this. Maybe in another lifetime where I could tame my own hair. And finally, two openings for two different diners across from town and one for a coffee shop a few miles east. Serving food is easy, I guess. Plus I think the pay would be satisfactory. I'll definitely meet up with these people, too.

I finished my search for a job at exactly ten pm, when I felt my eyes starting to droop down from sleepiness. I finished the last drops of my tea, stretched my arms over my head with a groan, and finally stood up from my couch to make my way to the bedroom upstairs.

As I laid down on my comfy sheets, I can't help but feel hollow. I don't feel sad. No, I don't think so. But I don't feel particularly happy, either. I guess Edmond is alright and I have yet to experience the things it will provide but at the same time, I miss my old life. I miss my parents. I miss Harry. I miss Ginny. Heck, I even miss Ron and the shenanigans he's put up. I miss the Ministry despite the frequent scandals it faces. I miss my old job. I miss magic, most importantly.

Since my arrival here in my new home, I've used magic to a minimum. There are days when I wouldn't use it at all. I tucked my wand on a small box under my mattress to keep it safe and sometimes I forget that it's there. I didn't know how simple and dull life is without magic. I guess my neglect of my magical abilities would be better considering that from now on, I will be coming back to the Muggle lifestyle that has been buried on the back of my head for years. Maybe things will turn out better than I expected. I just can't fathom the fact that even if I'm literally hundreds of miles away from my old home, something or someone from my past might present themselves in the days to come.

Author's Note: Don't forget to leave a like, vote, and review!