Misfit

CHAPTER V

01.05.1999

Knowing that her parents are dead, broke her even more. Even though she always knew it could happen, it is different knowing it for sure. The entire situation is different. Her parents died without knowing who she was. And it was her fault. She tried to protect them, yet they were killed anyway. It was all for nothing. Hermione blamed herself. No one else is to blame. They were killed because of her friendship with Harry and her participation in the war, they had no memory of her, because of her. Never in her life had Hermione felt more as a failure. 

Three days after the terrible news, it finally sunk in. She had no parents. They are gone. It was just her left. 

The day after she came back from her parents house in Australia, Fred had knocked on her door to ask if she was alright. She didn't open the door for him, nor did she respond to his question. All she did in those three days was to stare at the wall. She didn't even pick up a book. 

Yesterday was the last day Hermione allowed herself to grieve. She knew that she had let herself go too far already, so this morning she told herself that the death of her parents doesn't change anything. She had lived without them for 2 years, the only difference is, they are not going to come back. Hermione tries to pull herself together - as good as possible for her - and today Hermione decided to go back to her old ways.

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As she walked downstairs she heard the noise from the shop. It sounded like all hell broke lose in there. Curiosity got the best of her and as she stepped out of the hallway she peeked around the corner to see the front of the shop. The inside is packed with students and adults all here for the opening of the new shop. Hermione had forgotten about that.
Looking closer Hermione can tell that Fred and George are having a hard time keeping up with everyone. She wonders where all their employees are, surely they hired some for the new shop. None of the other Weasleys are here to help either. Before Hermione can stop herself from going inside, she is standing in the middle of the shop, cornered by a lot of over excited Hogwarts students, pushing her from every side. Sometimes she hates herself for her curious and caring side that she had managed to turn off for so long. Sometimes it just breaks through.

She saw George working one of the counters with one long queue , while Fred was God knows where - most likely stocking up the shelves. Hermione is pushing her way through to the second counter, next to George, dumps her bags and turns to the waiting people.

"Next please!", she shouts and the people started to form a second queue in front of her register.

"What the- Hermione?", George manages to get out over the noise of the customers.

"You're Welcome", she says with a shrug of her shoulders and dives into cashing off items, advising customers etc. She would never admit it to anyone but she actually enjoyed working there. It was so busy it distracted her from everything going on in her life.
Around 5:00 pm it had finally calmed down since most students had to go back to Hogwarts and Hermione took a deep breath.

"Georgie we need to make so many more products, we sold out on mo-", Fred says coming from around the corner. Stopping midsentence upon seeing Hermione sitting behind the counter, serving yet another customer.

"Hermione, what- how- why- I "

"Freddy what in the world was that supposed to be", George hauls in laughter looking at his twin.

"I just don't understand", he says looking from George to Hermione.

"She just walked in about 6 hours ago, sat herself behind the counter and started serving customers", George explains.

"She did?"

"I did. And by the looks of it, it has calmed down now so if you'll excuse me, i have things to do", Hermione said, getting up from the counter and reaching for her belongings. She had nowhere to be but she didnt want stay here for it to be awkward.

"Actually, if you do have some time, we could need a hand with the products. We ran out of a lot and have to restock the shelves. You were the smartest witch in school and if you wouldn't mind you could help us brew the potions?", Fred rambles on, earning an amused look from his twin and a curious one from Hermione.

Without thinking about it Hermione shook her head.

"Sorry, I got to go. I don't even know what came over me, that I stepped in and helped", she explained.

"No problem, thank you a lot for helping out, though!", George says and as he is about to step forward to give her a hug, Hermione waves and is out of the door. 

Outside the shop, Hermione takes a deep breath. Scolding herself for being so stupid and letting her guard down. She should have never stepped into the shop, let alone help them out. Shaking her head and with a sigh she walks around and almost empty Hogsmeade now, desperate to run her errands before the shops close. 

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A new quick chapter. Let me know what you think. 

xx