As you may have noticed, I have finally caught up with the part where I left of. So this is a BRAND NEW CHAPTER =)

I had initially thought that I'd post this tomorrow. But this morning, I received my first college acceptance letter, so I just had to post =)

Although I'd love to babble on and on, I afraid I can't. I'm in the middle of watching the 2012 Election, and I must admit it is quite exciting.

So, Enjoy!

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“Behind every beautiful thing, there's some kind of pain.” ― Bob Dylan

It was only with great reluctance, and much prodding from the better half of her conscience, that Hermione got out of the protective covers of her bed the next morning. And with even greater reluctance, and against what she at that moment deemed as better judgment, she began her daily routine of getting ready for work.

After she got ready at a snail’s pace, ate enough breakfast to put Ron to shame, and brushed her teeth three times, she decided that she couldn’t possibly waste any more time. It was time to face the music.

Thus, she fastened her cloak, squared her shoulders, gathered up her Gryffindor courage and appparated to the entrance of the Ministry. By the time she went down the telephone booth (they had been re-installed after the war) and made it to the entrance of the Department of Law Enforcement, her courage had dwindled considerably (something she credited as an aftereffect of spending a weekend with three Slytheirns), and she seriously considered placing a disillusionment charm on herself.

She made it all the way to her office with running into Cormac, or anyone for that matter, much to her great pleasure. She closed the door, sank into the comforts of her chair, and released a breath she didn’t even know she was holding in.

Her peace was short lived. Mere seconds after Hermione sat down, Parvati rushed into the room.

“Hermione! There you are!” She squealed. “I’ve been looking for you since forever! Literally! You missed the meeting!!”

“Oh bollocks! The meeting was today, wasn’t it?” Hermione asked, her eyes widening in horror. She had been so caught up in hiding form Cormac, that the meeting had completely slipped her mind. Especially considering the Minister himself was attending the meeting. “I can’t believe I missed it! I must apologize to Kingsley immediately!”

”He left already,” Cho answered, having walked into Hermione’s office and having heard the last sentence. “But I did tell him that you were violently sick and couldn’t brew the remedy in time to attend the meeting, if that helps any.”

“Thank you so much! You are a lifesaver!” Hermione practically screamed in relief.

“So why are you so late?” Cho asked perched on the edge of the desk.

“Yeah, you’re usually the first one here!” Parvati added, taking a seat in one of her plush chairs.

“Long story,” Hermione replied, not wanting to say anything in front of Parvati, the renowned and infamous gossiper of the Department of Law Enforcement.

“Ok, but you shall tell me all about it during lunch,” Cho replied. “Including an explanation for your disappearing act in France.”

Hermione was saved from replying by Parvati’s very Umbridge like “ahem.”

“Would you like a cough drop?” Herimione offered politely.

“No,” Parvati replied slightly miffed. “I believe Cho forgot to tell you about an interesting development that took place during this morning’s meeting.”

“What happened?” Hermione asked, sitting up straighter and mentally cursing herself for missing such an important meeting. “Did they finally pass the law about house elves’ right to—,”

“No!” Parvati exclaimed, quite annoyed at Hermione for stealing her thunder.

“We have a new co-worker,” Cho replied.

“Not just any co-worker!” Parvati exclaimed. “He is the most gorgeous member of the male species to ever grace this godforsaken place!”

“Why don’t we let Hermione judge for herself?” Cho offered, smiling at Parvati’s dramatics.

“Okay. I’ll go and get him,” Parvati replied, walking to the door. “He was inquiring about you anyways.”

“Why was he asking about me?” Hermione asked Cho. “Do I know him?”

“I don’t think so,” Cho replied, frowning. “At least I didn’t know him.”

Before Hermione could reply, Parvati walked in with a tall figure behind her, carrying a stack of paper so high that it obscured his face.

“Oh, Hermione, these are the new papers that have come in regarding the cursed items. Have fun sorting through them,” Parvati added sarcastically, before turning to the figure behind her. “Anyways, this is--,”

Before Parvati could finish, the new co-worker had already deposited the stack of papers near the wall making his face visible and Hermione gasped, “It’s you!” with her eyes widened like saucers.

“It’s me,” the handsome brunet replied with a dazzling smile.

“You two know each other?” Parvati asked in such a surprised tone that Hermione wasn’t sure if she should be offended or not.

“Not really,” Hermione replied at the same the brunet replied “Yes,” causing him to chuckle, Hermione to blush, and Cho and Parvati to send them curious looks.

“Well, ignoring that,” Parvati continued, breaking the silence. “Hermione this is Harper Cunningham. Harper, this is Hermione Granger.”

“You knew that didn’t you?” Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes. “You knew that at the bookstore, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Harper replied with a glint in his eyes. “But then, one would have to have lived under a rock for the past decade to not recognize you. We went to school together for six years and you happen to be on Chocolate Frog cards, a treat I’m quite fond of, so the odds of me not recognizing you were quite miniscule.”

“But you didn’t tell me your name!” Hermione accused.

“You never asked,” Harper retorted.

“Touche,” Hermione replied.

“Oh! You’re the stranger from France, aren’t you?!” Cho exclaimed breaking their monologue, having connected the two.

“Wait, you went to school with us?” Parvati asked slowly. “No way! I would’ve most definitely remembered you if you did.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Harper replied with a heartbreaking smile. “But my years at Hogwarts weren’t that memorable, especially not compared to Ms. Granger’s. And I doubt Gryffindors and Ravenclaws would remember a low-key Slytherin like me.”

“I think I remember you!” Cho replied slowly. “Weren’t you the replacement seeker for Draco Malfoy for a game against Gryffindor?”

Hermione wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but to her Harper’s smile looked a bit forced as he replied, “Yes, that’s me! Can’t believe you remember that! It was ages ago! You have an extraordinary memory!”

“Thanks,” Cho replied with a blush. “Well, I’ve got to get back to work. It was nice meeting you again Harper!”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Harper replied flirtatiously.

Blushing some more, Cho added, “And Hermione don’t forget about lunch!”

“I’ve got to go too!” Parvati declared, still trying to remember Harper from their school days. “See you two later!”

“So…” Hermione began as Parvati exited the room.

“I would ask you out for lunch,” Harper began with a mischievous glint in his sapphire blue eyes, “But it seems as if you already have plans.”

Hermione blushed.

“So I was wondering if you have any plans for after work. If not, would you be interested in joining an extremely ice-cream deprived man for a bite of ice-cream?”

“I don’t know-,” Hermione began hesitantly, glancing at the ginormous pile of paper waiting for her to go through.

“You’d be saving him from a painful death caused by ice-cream withdrawal symptoms,” Harper pressed, trying to keep a straight face.

“Well in that case, I suppose I have to go,” Hermione replied with a smile.

“Then see you at five,” Harper replied, flashing one last breathtaking smile before walking out of her office, leaving Hermione with a small smile on her face.

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So what did you guys think about that? Anyone excited for Hermione's "sort of" date? Any guesses as to what will happen next?

The next chapter will be posted a week from today.

Until then, vote, comment, and eat chocolate frogs!