Venom and Velvet

Return to Diagon Alley

1. Return to Diagon Alley

Hermione glanced behind her habitually as she walked up the London street. She wondered if she would ever stop looking over her shoulder. Logically, she knew the war was over and she was safe, but she hadn't been able to shake the feeling that she was about to be attacked at any given moment. Someday she hoped she would feel secure.

It had been almost four months since the Battle of Hogwarts. Much of the summer had been spent by various members of the wizarding community repairing the castle. Hermione, who had always been known for her clever spell work, had overseen the restoration of the Great Hall. She had used her extra time on the grounds to discuss possibly returning to Hogwarts with Professor McGonagall.

"Well, Ms. Granger, I see no reason why you wouldn't succeed if you chose to return to Hogwarts this term. In fact, I do think the school would be benefited by your presence this coming year," she had said.

Harry and Ron had decided to take the jobs they had been offered with Kingsley Shacklebolt, but Hermione couldn't bear never finishing school. It went against her very nature. So, she had decided that she would be returning to Hogwarts on September 1st to complete her seventh year. As far as she knew, Neville was the only other student from her year who would be going back, however, she would now be in classes with Ginny and Luna.

Hermione looked up and saw she had reached her destination. She pushed open the door to the Leaky Cauldron and stepped inside. She was surprised to see it the same as it had always been. She vaguely recalled stepping into this very pub on her first visit to Diagon Alley. It had been her first glimpse of the magical world and it seemed like an eternity had passed since that day.

Tom gave her a nod from behind the counter. Some things never changed. She took in the scene around her. The pub was half-full, most of its occupants surrounded by more than one tankard. In the corner, a head with shockingly red hair was bent over a table with five empty glasses and another almost there. Hermione's heart dropped.

"George?" she said as she approached him tentatively. "Are you alright?"

George lifted his head, his eyes were red, whether from tears or the sheer amount of alcohol he had clearly consumed, Hermione did not know.

"Just peachy, 'Mione. Positively dandy," he said, his voice flat.

Hermione sat in the booth across him, feeling her throat constrict as her eyes threatened to water. She couldn't begin to imagine the way Fred's death had affected George.

"I'm sorry. That was a stupid question. Is there anything I can do? Do you want to talk about it?"

"I do, but I- I just can't," George's voice hitched in his throat. He took and deep breath, then shook his head and took another swig of his drink.

"George," Hermione started, eyeing his pile of empty glasses warily.

"I know. It's not healthy. Fr- He'd not want me to turn into a drunkard. But sometimes you just need a break, ya know?" He looked at her, tears starting to brim in his eyes. He looked so very broken, Hermione couldn't stop a tear from falling down her cheek any longer.

There had been so much loss and sorrow in the past few years. She could only hope it was all over.

"I understand, George. I really do. I'll leave you now. Promise you'll send me an owl if you need anything, though, okay?" She said.