An Outdated Map

Tuesday

A/N: It's Tuesday! Here's another update! Again, a big thanks to @chaosmieu and @axelwolf8109. Leave me a comment/review to let me know what you think! 

Playlist: Into the Blue - Kylie Minogue

Disclaimer: JKR owns HP

"But I'm still here holding on too tight
To everything that I left behind
I don't care if the world is mine
Cause this is all I know"
Into the Blue – Kylie Minogue

Grabbing her shoulder bag, she stood up and dropped a few notes to pay her bill. She slipped out from the small booth and exited the bistro. She opted to spend her morning in muggle London. She knew that people would recognize her too easily in Diagon Alley and she wasn't fully prepared to handle the inevitable onslaught of questions. She knew there would come a time where she'd have to own up to everything, but today was not that day.

Strolling down the street and ducking into the familiar alleyway, she found herself lost in the familiar patterns of old-time lost. Her feet knowing exactly which way to go without any conscious effort on her part. It was comforting, that no matter how long she'd been gone, there were some things that wouldn't ever change. Somewhere in the back of her mind she registered giving Tom a smile before taking the stairs up to her room.

Reaching her door, she picked up a rolled-up Daily Prophet just to the side. Pushing her door open with her shoulder, she flicked through the first few pages of the paper, while dropping her satchel down onto the bed. She kicked her shoes off and pulled her wand out, swishing it in the direction of the windows to open them.

Reclining back in the small armchair across from the fireplace, she scanned the Prophet, noting the large two pages spread of the memorial coming up. It was the first anniversary of the ending of the war, and there was major speculation about the turn out for the event. Feeling a numbing sensation starting to creep over her shoulders, she quickly pressed on, vaguely retaining the information within the news.

She sighed as she reached the housing section. She hadn't fully formed the thought, but there was the idea that maybe she could come back for real. Find somewhere to live. Somewhere close. She hadn't figured out a plan past Friday. She hadn't decided whether she'd be leaving again or not.

Folding the Prophet in half, she tossed it onto the side table next to her. She sighed, leaning her head back when there was a tentative knock on her door. She turned her head, brows furrowed, as she wondered who could possibly be knocking. George and Angie were the only people who knew she was back. Checking her wristwatch, she knew it couldn't be either of them. Not at this time in the morning, it was too busy in the shop for them to take a jaunt out.

It was possible it was Tom, or even a stray confusing her door with someone else's. She didn't want to appear to be rude, but she wasn't in a proper state to be receiving any guests. If it was important, they could leave a message with the innkeeper. Or send her an owl. Resolving to ignore the unwanted visitor, she closed her eyes, taking a moment to herself.

The second round of knocking sounded at her door and she creased her brow in irritation. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she stood, preparing to dismiss whoever was on the other side of the door. She could see the shadow of whoever it was under the door. The person shifted, obviously hearing her movement and the next thing she knew she was frozen at the voice.

"Hermione," The person called through the door, "It's Harry."

She stopped, her heart pounding. He promised. George promised her that he wouldn't tell anyone. Her breathing hitched, terrified that she was about to be bombarded with Harry's temper. She felt tears sting at the corners of her eyes. How mad could he actually be? She scoffed at herself, putting herself in his place and knowing exactly how furious her best friend likely was. She left him. After everything they'd gone through, she disappeared into the night, without a word. There was a light thud against the door, as she assumed Harry laid his hand against it.